Venture Global responds to Shell's fraudulent claims in LNG arbitration
Venture Global responded late Tuesday night to Shell's legal challenge over its loss in an arbitration case involving liquefied gas cargoes. The company rejected allegations of fraud, and accused Shell of breaching arbitration confidentiality. The legal documents filed in New York Supreme Court are the latest in a long-running saga about Venture Global's inability to deliver LNG in accordance with long-term contracts, while selling LNG on the spot market when prices rose after Russia's invasion in Ukraine. Shell, BP, Edison and other companies filed arbitration claims in 2023 against Venture Global. Shell lost in August while BP won in October.
GE Vernova is expecting 80 gigawatts in gas turbine contracts before the end of the year
GE Vernova, a manufacturer of power generation equipment, said that it expects to sign 80 gigawatts in combined-cycle gas?contracts before the end of this year - as electricity demand from Big Tech data 'centers - ramps up. The demand for natural gas-powered?turbines has risen as U.S. electricity demand is at record levels due to the proliferation energy-intensive data centres supporting artificial intelligence initiatives. GE 'Vernova has sold all of its gas-turbines until 2028. CEO Scott Strazik remarked at a conference held for investors that there are less than 10% remaining to be sold the following year.
EIA: US natgas production and demand will reach record highs by 2025
The U.S. Energy Information Administration stated in its "Short-Term" Energy Outlook on Tuesday that U.S. Natural Gas output and demand would 'both rise to new record highs by 2025. EIA projects that dry gas production in 2026 will increase from 103.2 billion cubic feet per day to 107.7 in 2025, and 109.1 in 2026. This compares to a record 103.6 bcfd for 2023. The agency also predicted that domestic gas consumption would?rise? from a record high of 90.4 bcfd by 2024, to 91.8bcfd by?2025, before slipping to 90.8bcfd by 2026. The December 2025 projections were higher than the EIA demand forecast of 91.6 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) in November…
EIA: US power consumption will reach new highs by 2025 and 26.
Energy Information Administration's short-term energy forecast on Tuesday said that U.S. electricity consumption would reach record levels in 2025 and in 2026. EIA predicted that power demand would rise from 4,110 billion kWh to 4,199 billion in 2025 and 4,267 billion in 2026. Demand is increasing due to the use of electricity by homes and businesses and data centers dedicated for artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency. According to the EIA, power sales for residential customers will reach?1,516?kWh in 2025, followed by 1,486?kWh commercial customers and 1,055?kWh industrial customers.
Shell is in advanced discussions to buy LLOG Exploration, say sources. The deal will cost more than $3 billion.
Shell is in advanced discussions to buy LLOG Exploration offshore in a deal valued at more than $3 billion. This would increase the oil major's portfolio of upstream oil and gas producers by acquiring one of the biggest privately owned oil and natural gas producers in the U.S. Gulf. Sources said that the parties were in advanced talks, and that an agreement was close. One source added that the deal could be signed by the end the year.Sources?advised that there is no guarantee that a deal would be reached between Shell and Covington, Louisiana based producer and spoke under?conditions of anonymity for private deliberations.Shell declined to make a comment.
Sources: Russian Syzran oil refinery was halted on December 5, by a drone attack
Two industry sources reported on Tuesday that the Russian Syzran refinery, located on the Volga River, stopped?oil production on December 5, after it was?damaged by an Ukrainian drone attack. As peace talks failed to progress, Ukraine and Russia began attacking each other's nuclear energy plants. The Ukrainian military said that they had carried out long-range attacks overnight on an oil refining plant in the Russian city Syzran, and on the Temryuk Port located in the Krasnodar Region. Sources said that the drones targeted the CDU-6 crude distillation unit of the plant, which was the primary equipment that had been targeted by drones earlier in August.
Exxon predicts increased earnings and oil production by 2030
Tuesday, Exxon Mobil announced that it would target a $25 billion?earnings increase from 2024-2030. The company will also?increase its oil and gas production. Exxon's earnings forecast represents a $5-billion increase over its previous plan. However, Exxon plans to maintain the same spending targets of $28 billion - $30 billion annually through 2030. Exxon said its updated corporate plan reflects the company's efforts to reduce costs and?"increase profits" even during periods of oil price volatility. Upstream, the oil producer's focus includes expanding its liquefied gas business.
Turkstream transactions are not subject to US sanctions, Hungary claims
Peter Szijjarto, Hungary's Minister of Foreign Affairs, said that the company operating TurkStream will be able to do business in Hungary?without problems? thanks to an agreement reached with Washington. Hungary continues to depend on Russian energy, despite the conflict in Ukraine and Western sanctions. This has prompted criticism from several European Union and NATO allies. Szijjarto, during a Facebook broadcast in Moscow, said that the TurkStream Pipeline will continue to run 'without interruption in the next?period regardless of any legal or?financial attack.
Sources say Saudi Aramco will export the first condensate in February from Jafurah Gas Plant
Two sources familiar with the matter confirmed on Tuesday that Saudi Aramco, the state energy company, plans to export the first condensate from the Jafurah Gas Plant in 'February. Aramco is aiming to be a global leader in natural gas by increasing its production capacity. The $100 billion Jafurah Project, which contains 229 trillion standard cubic feet of raw gas, and 75 billion barrels condensate according to estimates, is at the heart of this ambition. Saudi Finance Ministry said that the first phase of production began in early this month.
EUROPE GAS-European Prices Rise on Slightly Stronger Demand Outlook
Dutch and British gas rates firmed up on Tuesday. Forecasts suggest a slightly higher demand, although both pipeline?and liquefied (LNG?) supply remain robust. LSEG data revealed that the benchmark Dutch front-month MWh contract at TTF hub had increased by 0.16?euros to 27.33 euros (MWh) or $9.33/mmBtu as of 0913 GMT. It fell to its lowest level in April 2024, 26.75 Euros/MWh on Monday. The Dutch day-ahead contracts eased by 0.03 euros, to 26.77 Euros/MWh. The British day-ahead gasoline price increased by 1.85 pence to 68.60 cents. Saku Jussila…
Australia is preparing to review its gas market, which could affect LNG exports
Australia will soon issue a review of the gas market that could limit exports from its east coast. Three operators, led by Shell and Santos, send cargoes to Asia. They said that the review, which they expect Canberra to release this week, may 'include a plan for LNG exporters to prioritize local supply in the populous east, the main source of domestic demand. Tony Wood, energy analyst at Melbourne's Grattan Institute, said that the government is trying to solve a difficult problem. They want the domestic and international markets to be able access gas at a reasonable price.
Kinder Morgan anticipates higher profits in 2026 due to strong natural gas demand
Kinder Morgan, a pipeline operator, said that it expected a growth in profit for '2026 compared to the 2025 forecast - due to strong natural gas demand. In after-market trading, shares of the company rose 1% to $27.57. The demand for natural gases has been boosted by the increase in LNG exports, and an increase in power consumption in data centers devoted to artificial intelligence (AI) and cryptocurrency. Kinder Morgan has signed long-term contracts to transport 8 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day to LNG facilities. It expects to deliver 12 bcfd in 2028. Houston-based company, Texas, forecasts an adjusted profit per share of $1.37 for 2026.
Antero will buy HG Energy’s gas assets for $2.8 billion
Antero Resources announced on Monday that it will buy assets from privately-held HG Energy for $2.8 billion as part of its expansion plans. Separately Antero Midstream will purchase HG Energy's Midstream assets, which includes gathering and water services, for $1.1 billion. Antero now has natural gas reserves in the U.S. at a time of soaring U.S. futures, boosted by heavy LNG exports, accelerating AI-driven data centres, and other power-hungry sectors. Last week, U.S. Natural Gas Futures reached their highest level in almost three years. Antero…
Data shows that Gazprom has delivered the first LNG cargo to China after sanctions from Portovaya.
LSEG data revealed on Monday that Russian energy giant Gazprom delivered a cargo of liquefied gas from the Portovaya LNG facility to China. This was the first shipment since January when the United States imposed sanctions against the project. LSEG's ship tracking data revealed that the gas carrier Valera (formerly Velikiy Novgorod) transported the cargo from the Baltic Sea plant to the Beihai terminal for LNG. Novatek, the largest LNG producer in Russia, uses the same loading port in China to load cargoes from Arctic LNG 2. Data showed that the tanker arrived in Tieshan (south China) on November 28 after being loaded at Portovaya.
Minister says UAE wants to increase LNG exports because global demand is outpacing supply
Suhail al Mazrouei, the Energy Minister of the United Arab Emirates, said that his country plans to not only meet its domestic demand for natural gas liquefied, but to also increase exports. Mazrouei agreed with Qatar’s energy minister, that the global demand for gas outpaces investment in production. "We are not only increasing our LNG exports, but also our local LNG demand," Mazrouei said at the Abu Dhabi Financial Week. "I agree with His Excellency Minister of Qatar, that the demand will be much greater than the projects we are currently seeing," Mazrouei stated on the sidelines Abu Dhabi Financial Week.
Data shows that Gazprom has delivered the first LNG cargo to China after sanctions from Portovaya.
LSEG data revealed on Monday that Russian energy giant Gazprom delivered a cargo of liquefied gas from the Portovaya LNG facility to China. This was the first shipment since January when the United States imposed sanctions against the project. LSEG's ship tracking data revealed that the gas carrier Valera (formerly Velikiy Novgorod) transported the cargo from a Baltic Sea plant to Beihai LNG Terminal. Novatek, the largest LNG producer in Russia, uses the same loading port in China to load cargoes from Arctic LNG 2. Data showed that the tanker arrived in Tieshan port, south China on November 28 after being loaded at Portovaya.
Australia's Waitsia Project begins sending gas to LNG export
Beach Energy, an Australian company, announced on Monday that the Waitsia onshore project located north of Perth has begun sending natural gas to Woodside Energy's liquidified natural gas export facility. Mitsui, a Japanese company, operates the Waitsia Project and shares it with Beach. Mitsui and Beach have signed a contract with the North West Shelf partners Woodside, BP Shell and Japan LNG for the supply of the facility in 2020. Japan LNG, a partnership between Mitsui & Mitsubishi, holds a sixth of the facility. Murray Watt, Australia's Environment Minister, signed a contract to extend the life of the LNG export facility until 2070 a few months ago.
Qatar is hopeful that the EU will solve corporate concerns about sustainability laws within a year.
Qatar's Energy minister Saad Al-Kaabi stated on Saturday that he hoped the European Union will resolve concerns about its sustainability laws before the end of December. Qatar has expressed its dissatisfaction with the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence (CSDDD), and has threatened gas supply. The dispute revolves around CSDDD’s ability to fine violators as much as 5% of their total global revenue. Qatar will not meet its net-zero emission targets, the minister has said repeatedly. Kaabi predicted that global gas demand will remain strong.
Baker Hughes reports that US drillers have added rigs to their fleet for the fourth time in just five weeks.
Baker Hughes, a leading energy services company, said that U.S. companies added drilling rigs this week for the fourth time within five weeks. The number of oil and gas drilling rigs, a good indicator of future production, increased by five in the week ending December 5. This is its highest level since late November. Baker Hughes reported that oil rigs increased by six this week to 413, the highest level since late November. Gas rigs, on the other hand, fell by one, to 129, which is their lowest level since late November. Oil and gas rig counts are expected to decline by 5% and 20% respectively in 2024, as the lower U.S.
Petrobras, Brazil's state-owned oil company, says that it could begin Sudoeste de Tartaruga Verde in just two years.
Sylvia Anjos said that Brazil's Petrobras may begin producing oil at the Sudoeste de Tartaruga verde block within two years. In November, the firm discovered the block in Brazil's Campos Basin. Anjos described the discovery as "marvelous" on the sidelines an event in Rio de Janeiro. Anjos explained that the tight timeline for production would be possible due to Petrobras's plan not to commission a floating vessel to develop the well but instead to connect it with an offshore unit nearby through a subsea cable. Petrobras has reduced its investments in the business plan for 2026-2030, partly due to lower Brent oil prices.