“Because of force majeure, they cannot supply from Russia, so they are giving us (LNG) from non-Russian portfolio,” Gupta told reporters.

He said the first cargo for March has already arrived at the Dahej terminal in western India. GAIL agreed to a 20-year deal with Gazprom Marketing and Singapore (GMTS) in 2012 for annual purchases of an average of 2.5 million tonnes of LNG.

At the time, GMTS was a unit of Gazprom Germania, now called Sefe, but the Russian parent gave up ownership of Sefe after Western sanctions were imposed on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine last year. Sefe had stopped supplying LNG to the Indian company in May last year to meet its own demand.

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/oil-gas/gail-to-get-lng-shipments-from-germanys-sefe-after-nearly-a-year/articleshow/98672306.cms

show less

In 2019, there were only 1,931 EV vehicles registered in the state. It dipped in 2020 with barely 1,516 registrations, but more than doubled in 2021 with 3,741 vehicle registrations. The trend zoomed in 2022 with 13,683 registrations across the state. In 2023 till March so far, 3,339 EVs have been registered at different regional transport department offices at an average of close to 47 registrations per day.

Pradeep Kumar, state’s joint transport commissioner, said growing concern about climate change and clean fuel is motivating people to shift towards a greener mode of transport.

“The government of India is laying major thrust on reducing dependency on fossil fuel and is pushing for electric vehicles in the country in a major way. State governments, too, are coming up with their own EV policies to promote it. All these are resulting in the rise and acceptance of EV vehicles,” he said.

Kaushik Kumar, a representative of EV vehicles showroom at Harmu Road added that unending rise of conventional fuel prices (petrol and diesel) is another big factor driving the growth in sales.

“Going by the market trend, youths and college-goers are mostly contributing to the sale of EV vehicles at least in urban pockets of Jharkhand due to their limited budget for daily expense for commute. On an average, of 10 vehicles sold per month, more than 50% of our customers comprise youths,” he stated.

The biggest problem, however, for the consumers is lack of enough charging stations across the state forcing buyers to mostly charge the vehicles at home, which is time consuming. For example, Ranchi has barely around half a dozen charging stations.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ranchi/state-sees-rise-in-evs-but-charging-stations-a-concern/articleshow/98646008.cms

show less

which is, however, only 0.44% of the total vehicles registered in the state.According to the data tabled in the Lok Sabha, Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of EVs (4.65 lakh) of all states and union territories, followed by Maharashtra (2.26 lakh) and Delhi (2.03 lakh). Sikkim, with 21 EVs, has the lowest number in the country. As of March 6, the total number of EVs in the country was 21.70 lakh.

With a total of 2.22 crore vehicles registered in Gujarat, the percentage of electric vehicles compared to total vehicles is about 0.44%, slightly lower than the national average of 0.6%. States such as Rajasthan and Bihar have more EVs than Gujarat.Listing various steps taken to promote the use of EVs, the government said that it has approved the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for advanced chemistry cells (ACC) to promote their manufacture and the budgetary outlay for the scheme is Rs 18,100 crore. EVs are also incentivized under the PLI scheme for automobiles and auto components, with a budgetary outlay of Rs 25,938 crore for 5 years. The government said GST on EVs has been reduced from 12% to 5% and GST on charging stations has been reduced from 18% to 5%.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/gujarat-closes-in-on-1-lakh-electric-vehicles-ranks-8th-in-country/articleshow/98680730.cms?from=mdr

show less

The new EV9 is the second of Kia’s fast-expanding family of bespoke electric cars, combining compelling performance specs with upmarket design and equipment to enter into direct competition with new SUVs from the likes of BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

Arriving to join the Kia EV6 crossover in dealerships, the EV9 heralds the beginning of a bold new design era for Kia as it progresses with its ambitious ‘Plan S’ strategy to launch another 13 bespoke EVs by 2027.

“The Kia EV9 breaks new ground, aiming to redefine standards for design, connectivity, usability and environmental responsibility,” said Karim Habib, Executive Vice President and Head of Kia Global Design Center. “The Kia EV9 offers customers an exceptionally high-quality proposition and a fresh EV perspective in the family SUV sector. This new vehicle typology provides instinctive experiences and excellent comfort for not just the driver, but all occupants, through innovative use of space, technology and design.”

Though the car has been fully revealed inside and out, Kia remains tight-lipped on performance and technical specifics, though given its targeted maximum range of 337 miles / 540 kilometres – and the fact that it has around 200mm more space between the wheels than the EV6 – it is expected that maximum battery capacity will be in the region of 100kWh from launch.

Because the EV9 shares its 800V-equipped E-GMP platform with the EV6 and its Hyundai Ioniq 5 sibling car, it will be capable of rapid-charging at 350kW to give 100km (62 miles / 100km) of range in just six minutes, and will come as standard with vehicle-to-load reverse-charging functionality.

The EV9 is much more recognisably a dedicated SUV than the rakish, low-slung EV6. “This is an SUV and we wanted that typology to be very clear,” explained Habib, pointing to its chunky black body cladding (available in gloss or matte) and clearly defined, two-box silhouette, while highlighting some of the more non-conventional cues that nod to the EV9’s electric underpinnings.

Ace of space

Built on Kia’s Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), the EV9’s long wheelbase, low beltline, and completely flat electric vehicle architecture have facilitated the creation of generous space for all occupants to connect and relax with lounge-style comfort in all three rows of seats.

Offered in both six- and seven-seat formats, Kia states it “captured feedback from families to evaluate seating configurations and features to ensure the EV9 delivers equality of space, comfort and experience for all occupants without placing all of its focus on the driver.”

Occupants sitting in the first and second-row seats can simultaneously recline their seats to relax and rest when the EV9 is charging. The seats in the second row can be effortlessly swivelled 180 degrees so that occupants can interact with those sitting in the third row. The third-row seats also offer cup holders and charging points for mobile devices.

The open, floating panoramic dashboard extends from the steering wheel to the vehicle’s centre. Two 12.3-inch touch screens integrated with one 5-inch segment display improve the digital experience, offering effortless control of the vehicle’s functions and ensuring physical buttons are kept to a minimum.

The centre console is equipped with ample storage options, including a spacious compartment located at its base. The centre console doors are further designed to add to the overall refinement of the interior space.

The EV9’s extended display high-definition audio visual, navigation and telematics (AVNT) screen creates a rich and immersive experience. It enhances occupants’ ability to engage and interact with the digital world seamlessly. Beneath the AVNT screen, an array of hidden type touch buttons provides a start/stop function along with AVNT and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) control.

https://www.autocarpro.in/news-international/daimler-buses-trains-20000-drivers-over-30-years-114391

show less

Yet, U.S. natural gas prices have dipped in recent months due to warmer than usual winter weather which required lower volumes of withdrawals from storage. As a result, working natural gas stocks in storage is around 24% more than the five-year average, and 36% more than last year at this time. This puts downward pressure on Henry Hub prices, which saw two consecutive cuts in price forecasts in two months from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).   Last year, the jump in natural gas prices globally after the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the energy crisis in Europe increased the call on U.S. LNG, whose exports rose by 9% to average 10.6 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d), FERC and the EIA said in their 2022 overviews. 

“Tight LNG supplies contributed to increasing international prices, which reached record levels, incentivizing U.S. LNG exports,” FERC said in its report. 

“The approval and expansion of multiple LNG export facilities in 2022 increased LNG liquefaction capacity to serve the growing international LNG demand to higher-priced regions.” 

Unlike in previous years, Europe was the top destination of U.S. LNG exports in 2022, with U.S. shipments soaring by 141%, the EIA said.

Europe accounted for 64% of U.S. LNG exports in 2022. Four countries—France, the UK, Spain, and the Netherlands—accounted for a combined 74% of U.S. LNG exports to Europe.  

The surge in exports to Europe meant that U.S. LNG exports to Asia declined as China and other importers of U.S. LNG scaled down buying due to the Chinese zero-Covid policy last year and the high prices which South Asian importers couldn’t afford. 

The most notable reduction was in U.S. LNG exports to China, which decreased by 78%, the EIA said.

The overall increase in U.S. LNG exports, combined with higher domestic gas demand, sent U.S. benchmark prices to multi-year highs last year.  

The Henry Hub averaged $6.38 per MMBtu in 2022, up from $3.82/MMBtu in 2021. 

“This was the highest average spot price at Henry Hub since 2008, and the largest absolute year-over-year average price increase since 2005,” FERC researchers said in the report. 

“In 2022, natural gas demand was driven by increased domestic natural gas consumption and LNG exports. Although production did not keep pace with demand, it continued the growth trend seen in the last decade,” they added. 

This year, Henry Hub prices have dropped due to milder winter weather in January and February in many parts of the United States. Natural gas inventories rose to above the five-year average, weighing down on prices. 

In its latest Short-Term Energy Outlook, the EIA cut – again – its estimates for natural gas prices for this year and next. The EIA now sees prices averaging $3.02 per MMBtu this year, down by 11.2% from its previous forecast of $3.40 per MMBtu. The EIA has also lowered its forecast for natural gas prices for next year to $3.89 per MMBtu, down from its estimate of $4.04 per MMBtu made in its previous report. 

As a result of the mild winter and low natural gas consumption in the residential and commercial sectors, the EIA expects 2.4% less U.S. natural gas consumption in 2023 than in 2022.  

“Although we reduced our Henry Hub price forecast from last month’s STEO, we still expect natural gas prices to increase in the coming months,” the EIA said. 

The Henry Hub spot price averaged $2.38 per MMBtu in February, the lowest monthly average since September 2020.

According to the EIA, prices are set to go up from the February lows due to rising demand from the Freeport LNG export facility reopening, seasonal increases in demand in the electric power sector, and relatively flat domestic gas production for the rest of 2023 as producers reduce drilling in response to lower prices.    

https://oilprice.com/Energy/Natural-Gas/US-Natural-Gas-Demand-Exceeds-Supply-As-LNG-Exports-Jump.html

show less

Victoria (CP) – The Haisla First Nation on British Columbia’s northern coast has been granted a provincial environmental assessment certificate for a floating liquefied natural gas facility.

The B.C. government said Tuesday the nation, in partnership with Pembina Pipeline Corp., proposes to use electricity to operate the LNG facility and export terminal.

The $3.28-billion terminal will be supplied with natural gas from the Coastal GasLink pipeline, which is still under construction.

A statement from the province said Environment Minister George Heyman and Energy Minister Josie Osborne made their decision after considering a report by the Environmental Assessment Office.

The ministers say in a joint statement that the Haisla majority-owned project takes “all possible measures currently available to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to the lowest feasible level.”

The announcement came on the same day the B.C. government released its new energy action framework to make sure oil and gas sector projects fit with its climate commitments.

Under the new framework, all proposed LNG facilities must pass an emissions test with a credible plan to be net zero by 2030.

Heyman and Osborne said they agreed that the Cedar LNG project supports reconciliation with the Haisla Nation, and that they received letters of support or no opposition from several surrounding First Nations.

Crystal Smith, the chief councillor for the Haisla Nation, said in a statement the approval is a historic step toward their economic self-determination.

“Together with our partner Pembina Pipeline, we are setting a new standard for responsible and sustainable energy development that protects the environment and our traditional way of life.”

The government release said the Cedar LNG project will have an expected export capacity of three million tonnes a year, employing 500 people during construction and 100 people when it’s in operation.

The project will also need a federal impact assessment, and provincial permits and other authorizations before construction can start.

B.C.’s Environmental Assessment Office recommended 65 federal mitigation measures and nine followup programs to address potential impacts from the project in areas of federal jurisdiction, including marine shipping, marine emergency response and greenhouse gas emissions.

Ellis Ross, the Skeena member of the legislature and a former chief councillor for the Haisla, said in a statement the Indigenous-owned project is one of the greatest examples of economic reconciliation in the province.

“A glaring issue in this approval is whether British Columbia has the electrical infrastructure needed for the turbines that are supposed to power this plant,” said Ross, who is a member of the Opposition BC Liberals.

He said the project has many more hurdles to overcome and the current wait for permits is “unacceptable.”

“Cedar LNG will likely be waiting a very long time for further approvals which will further slow down this project, similar to the wait that LNG Canada is facing.”

LNG Canada is building a terminal nearby in Kitimat’s port for the liquefaction, storage and export of LNG.

Environmental group the Wilderness Committee pointed to Premier David Eby’s own statements to ask if climate commitments really matter to the government.

Eby said shortly after becoming leader of the B.C. New Democrats that the province can’t continue to expand fossil fuel infrastructure and reach its climate goals.

The committee’s climate campaigner Peter McCartney said the province can’t claim new fossil fuel projects fit into its plan to reduce emissions.

“All the greenwash around B.C. LNG doesn’t change the fact that every new facility takes us further away from meeting our commitments.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 14, 2023.

https://www.todayville.com/3-28-billion-indigenous-led-lng-project-gets-b-c-environmental-certificate/

show less

“Our plan is to become an energy hub, a gas hub in particular, for Central Europe,” Morawiecki said at a conference here on Polish-Ukrainian partnership to make the future energy system secure.

According to the Polish Press Agency (PAP), the conference was attended by representatives of governments and leading energy companies from both countries.

Morawiecki said his government’s plan is based on already existing interconnectors and gas pipelines, as well as the country’s future investments in nuclear energy.

He noted that Poland has already invested in a floating terminal for receiving, storing and regasifying liquefied natural gas (LNG) and is expanding the crude oil handling facilities of Naftoport company in Gdansk on the Baltic coast.

“This infrastructure can be used in the future by recipients from Poland, but also our partners from Ukraine, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and … Hungary,” he said.

Poland and the Czech Republic are planning to return to a joint project of building the Stork II gas interconnector and other cross-border energy bridges between the two countries, he added.

Energy cooperation with Ukraine and neighbouring countries “is also an element of Poland’s national interest,” Morawiecki said, expecting the plan to make Poland a provider of regional energy security, which will thus strengthen its political position in Central Europe. Enditem

https://www.china.org.cn/world/Off_the_Wire/2023-03/16/content_85170941.htm

show less

The 1000 TEU M/V Seaboard Blue, previously known as the M/V Elbblue, was retrofitted in 2017 with the capability of running on both LNG and diesel fuel. The vessel was the world’s first container ship converted from conventional diesel propulsion to LNG. Calling at PortMiami for the first time, the Seaboard Blue will be part of Seaboard Marine’s North Central America service.

Eddie Gonzalez, President and CEO of Seaboard Marine, said: “The Seaboard Blue is a key new component to Seaboard’s fleet transformation. The recent purchase of this LNG-powered ship not only demonstrates Seaboard Marine’s ongoing commitment to sustainability but also to providing reliable service to our customers. As South Florida’s premier ocean carrier, we are grateful for the level of support we have received from Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, PortMiami, Shell, the United States Coast Guard, and the Biscayne Bay Pilots.”

Miami-Dade County Mayor, Daniella Levine Cava, stated: “Seaboard Marine’s adoption of greener sources of fuel is exemplary and a significant step towards our goal of keeping Miami-Dade a county on the cutting-edge of sustainability. As PortMiami’s largest shipping line, I am proud of Seaboard Marine’s commitment to improving the environment and their long-time partnership with PortMiami and Miami-Dade County.”

https://www.lngindustry.com/liquid-natural-gas/14032023/seaboard-marine-adds-first-lng-vessel-to-its-fleet/

show less

The number of LNG shipments in the first two months of 2023 reached 1,047, up 4% (or 41 more) than during the same period in 2022, GECF said in its latest monthly report.
In February 2023, the LNG spot charter rate for steam turbine carriers averaged $34,600 per day, which was 36% lower month-on-month (m-o-m), but 111% higher year-on-year (y-o-y).
Spot charter rates usually observe a seasonal increase at the end of the year, as demand for LNG grows for the upcoming winter. In 2022, the same factors were at play, coupled with further tightness in the market due to European buyers purchasing cargoes as floating storage, resulting in extremely elevated charter rates, GECF said.
“As the winter season commenced, these floating cargoes began to be discharged, freeing up carriers and reducing spot charter rates. Additionally, the mild winter conditions helped to ease gas demand somewhat, contributing to fewer inter- basin flows, and thus charter rates softening even further, from January into February,” GECF noted.
The average price of the leading shipping fuels in February 2023 was $610 per tonne, which was unchanged from the previous month, and 14% lower y-o-y.
The impact of decreases in LNG spot charter rates and delivered spot LNG prices, resulted in a net decrease in the LNG shipping cost, by up to $0.53/MMBtu compared with the previous month, it said.
When compared with the same month one year ago, in February 2023 charter rates were greater, but fuel prices and delivered spot LNG prices were lower than in 2022, resulting in LNG shipping costs up to $0.33/MMBtu lower.
In February, 1.47 Mtpa of liquefaction capacity were impacted by planned an unplanned outages, which was down from 2.03 Mtpa of liquefaction capacity that were impacted in February, GECF noted.
At a project level, the Freeport LNG facility in the US was impacted by the unplanned outage in February, while the Skikda LNG facility in Algeria was undergoing planned maintenance activities. Meanwhile, the force majeure on feedgas supply to the liquefaction facility in Nigeria, which was declared in January, remained in effect in February as well, GECF said.

https://www.gulf-times.com/article/658110/business/qatar-delivers-12-more-lng-cargoes-in-january-february-compared-to-same-period-in-2022-gecf

show less