NGS’ NG/LNG SNAPSHOT – September 1–15, 2022

National News Internatonal News

NATIONAL NEWS

City Gas Distribution & Auto LPG

Mega investments in biogas plants hint at a new shift in the energy sector

India currently hosts Asia’s largest biogas plant at Sangrur in Punjab, while many small and medium-scale plants also exist and produce bio-CNG for vehicles and other uses. Big corporates are also now expected to invest crores in the biogas business. It is also expected to reduce the cost of imports of natural gas.

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The infrastructure for gas is readily available in India. Financial assistance and strict waste segregation and management rules could help the industry grow and meet the energy demands of the country, according to the experts.

Punjab government announced that it has started the commercial production of biogas from a plant at Bhuttan Kalan, a village in the Sangrur district. It is said to be Asia’s largest biogas plant with an estimated production capacity of 33.23 tonnes per day.  Earlier this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated one of India’s biggest bio-CNG plants at Indore in Madhya Pradesh, named Gobar-Dhan, which is capable of processing 550 tonnes of waste and producing 17,000 kilograms of bio-CNG everyday.

Apart from all the state-specific investments, Reliance Industries and Adani New Industries Limited (ANIL) have also planned to invest 500-600 crore rupees each in the sector, according to media reports. The government’s push with the policies and schemes seem to have given the sector an impetus. However, the sector also has its own inherent challenges.

Although the current contribution of biogas is not very significant in India’s clean energy mix, the future seems to be promising. According to estimates from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), with the treatment of municipal waste in India, the country has the potential to generate 1.5 Metric Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA) of biogas.

In terms of policy thrust, the central government claims that through several schemes and policies it is aiding the growth of biogas production in the state. The MoPNG in 2018 started the SATAT which aimed at producing CBG from various biomass sources. Under the programme, the oil marketing companies like IOCL and others tie up with producers to assure them of its procurement and distribute it through their vast network in the country. The programme aims to have 5,000 biogas plants by 2023 but till now only 35 such plants have been commissioned under the scheme.

https://india.mongabay.com/2022/09/mega-investments-in-biogas-plants-hint-at-a-new-shift-in-the-energy-sector/

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CNG to be produced from domestic waste, LMC start the project in UP

The Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) has begun the exercise of finding out a company for the disposal of domestic waste in the city. The corporation would assign this task to the company that would also produce CNG from it.

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The municipal body has floated tenders in this regard and invited domestic as well as overseas companies for this work. The company producing CNG from waste would provide it to the municipal corporation at Rs 5 per KG cheaper than the market price.

It may be mentioned that at present a firm Eco Green has been engaged by the LMC for the disposal of domestic garbage. While the company has failed to dispose of the waste, the plant made by the LMC for garbage treatment has piles of it. Now the municipal body has started the exercise of finding out a new company for it and sought expression of interest (EOI) from the companies.

The Lucknow municipal commissioner said that a proposal to produce CNG from domestic waste has been prepared and offers are being invited from companies for it. The companies would have to set up plants and other equipment at their expense and the municipal corporation will provide land only. He made it clear that there would be no investment from the LMC in this system and the company entrusted with the job will do it on its own.

As per the conditions laid down in the tender document, the municipal corporation would provide the selected company with 300 tons of garbage daily. This would be domestic waste lifted every day by the corporation. The LMC after making a door-to-door collection of garbage would sort it out and provide it to the company producing CNG. The LMC officials hoped that they might provide 300 tons of garbage to the CNG-producing company from the hotels and vegetable markets only. According to them, 20000 KG of CNG would be produced daily from 300 tons of garbage.

https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/up-cng-to-be-produced-from-domestic-waste-lucknow-municipal-body-to-start-the-project

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India doesn’t have to import LNG & CNG, focus on development from biomass – Sh. Gadkari

India is capable of meeting its demand for cleaner fossil fuel alternatives such as LNG and compressed natural gas (CNG) through focus on processing and investing in biomass, Sh. Nitin Gadkari

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He further added, India has to import a large amount of crude oil from overseas, which is one of the reasons why Indian economy is facing pressures. LNG is a fuel for the future, being cost-effective and having economic viability. Government is investing in projects where LNG and CNG can be produced from biomass, with two projects already underway in Pune and Yavatmal. Within two years, we can have 200 projects of bio LNG and bio CNG.

He emphasised that India don’t need to import them, if we make them from biomass. For example, nine tonnes of cotton straw produces one tonne of bio-CNG.

https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/oil-and-gas/dont-have-to-import-lng-cng-focus-on-development-from-biomass-gadkari/93959865

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IOCL to bring bio-CNG to Kanpur Dehat by year end

IOCL signed an MoU with AA Bioenergy On Wednesday, August 31,  to buy 2.4 tonnes of CBG per day for consumption in Kanpur Dehat. Amid rising prices of CNG, Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) is working on alternative cheaper and cleaner bio-CNG, also known as CBG (Compressed BioGas) in Kanpur and Kannauj by year-end.

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Another firm, Bhadauria Natural Gas and Products based in Kannauj is set to launch CBG production by December end too.

Executive director and state head of UPSO-1 IOCL, Sh. Sanjiv Kakkar stated here that the upcoming plant in Kanpur Dehat would be one of its kind and the first in Uttar Pradesh to be producing CBG primarily from agricultural waste, fruits & vegetable waste of mandis, napier grass, dairy waste, and cow dung. Futher he added that IOCL retail outlets will sell CBG under the brand name of ‘IndiGreen’.” Sh Sarvjeet Singh also said that the biggest benefits of CBG is that it’s clean and cheap and will reduce dependency on imports of CNG.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/ioc-to-bring-bio-cng-to-kanpur-dehat/articleshow/93915183.cms

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Lukewarm response to piped natural gas switchover by Faridabad factories

The response to adopting the piped natural gas (PNG) as the main fuel by industrial and commercial units here has been poor, as only a handful of the units have switched over to cleaner energy, required for the compliance of the air quality management in the National Capital Region (NCR).

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A little above 2% of the units have gone for the PNG connection so far in this industrial hub. As the graded response action plan (GRAP) is set to come into force from October 01, under which the diesel-operated gen-sets will get banned, not many have got switched over or have applied for gas.

The rising cost of gas has been a hurdle. The move is impractical and an economic disaster. Shifting to PNG is difficult unless supported financially or heavily subsidised. The govt should set up a power plant to ensure round-the-clock supply during the winters.

With a total of around 450 PNG connections in the industry sector, only 50 units have got or applied for gas supply for generators till date. The city has over 25,000 industrial and commercial units. The units shall completely switch over to the PNG or biomass fuels, latest by September 30, 2022, for industries in areas in the NCR where the PNG supply is available and by December 31, 2022, for industries in areas where supply is not available. Further, the industries shall be closed down and not permitted to operate in case of non-compliance.

Sh. Rajiv Chawla, chairman, Integrated Association of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises of India (IAMSME), has demanded the notification of the subsidy scheme for conversion. 50% subsidy in cost and 50% cut in the GST is the need of the hour

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/haryana/lukewarm-response-to-png-switchover-by-fbad-factories-427357

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Natural Gas/ Pipelines/ Company News

 

Sh. M V Iyer assumes additional charge as GAIL CMD & takes over as MGL Chairman

Sh. M. V. Iyer, Director (Business Development) has assumed additional charge as Chairman & Managing Director of GAIL (India) Limited. Also, the State-run city gas utility, Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL), has appointed M. V. Iyer as the company’s new chairman.

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He is also the Director (Business Development) of the Company and also has additional charge of Marketing Directorate.

An electrical engineer, Sh. Iyer has 35 years of rich and diverse experience in GAIL in projects execution. “He has been part of the core team of GAIL for implementation of various long-term and short-term strategies in GAIL.

The company further outlined that he is entrusted with the responsibilities for a period of 3 months w.e.f. September 9, 2022, or until a regular incumbent to the post is appointed or until any further orders are received by the company. His appointment on an additional post shall cease in case of any of the three events, whichever falls earlier.

Sh. Iyer has played key roles in GAIL’s upcoming Green Hydrogen project, blending of hydrogen in city gas network, distributed LNG production to cater to off grid locations etc.

Sh. Iyer is also Director in one of GAIL’s new joint venture company Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited (IGGL) for implementation of North East Gas Grid. He has been associated with several non-core business areas like commissioning of the Dabhol LNG terminal and implementation of 100 MW Wind power project, 5 MW Solar power projects and current thrust areas of City Gas Distribution (CGD) projects within a short span of one year.

https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/mv-iyer-assumes-additional-charge-as-gail-cmd-11662041551859.html

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Sh. Rajesh Kumar Srivastava takes additional charge as ONGC CMD

Director (Exploration) of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) Sh. Rajesh Kumar Srivastava has taken over the additional charge of the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of the Energy Maharatna on 1 September 2022, after Dr. Alka Mittal superannuated as

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ONGC CMD on 31 August 2022. Sh. Srivastava has been serving as Director (Exploration) since August 02, 2019, and is the senior-most Director on the Board of the energy company.

Sh. Srivastava is also the Chairman of ONGC TERI Biotech Limited (OTBL) and the President of the Indian Geological Congress (IGL).

Sh. Srivastava acquired his Master of Science (Geology) from Lucknow University and Master’s Degree in Engineering Geology from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur. He also holds the prestigious Non-Executive Director Diploma from Financial Times, United Kingdom. He joined ONGC as a Geologist in 1984 at Krishna Godavari Basin in Rajahmundry. With over 38 years of experience in hardcore Exploration & Production business, Mr. Srivastava is an expert in up-stream hydrocarbon exploration from well-site operations, development geology, seismic data interpretation to monitoring and planning of exploration.

After his initial stint as an exploration geologist in Krishna Godavari Basin, he joined ONGC’s Institute of Reservoir Studies in Ahmedabad; he was considered as one of the best hands in the trade of Reservoir Modelling for preparation of field development plans, simulation studies for production forecasts and techno-economic evaluation of prospects. He is credited to have introduced art and science of Geo-cellular modeling in ONGC, Neelam offshore field being the first full field fine scale Geo-cellular Model for dynamic modelling for redevelopment.

He played a key role in the formulation of ‘Hydrocarbon vision-2030 for North East India’ driven by Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. He has also evaluated several exploration and development blocks of Egypt and Sudan. As an acknowledgment of his contributions towards discovery of hydrocarbons in Indian Basins, field development and hydrocarbon exploration, Sh. Srivastava was honored with the National Mineral Award in 2009.

https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/OIL-AND-NATURAL-GAS-CORPO-9743117/news/Oil-and-Natural-Gas-Rajesh-Kumar-Srivastava-takes-additional-charge-as-ONGC-CMD-41669334/

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Policy Matters/ Gas Pricing/ Others

Govt sets up Sh. Kirit Parikh committee to moderate gas prices

The government has set up a panel to review the formula that dictates the pricing of gas produced by companies such as ONGC and Reliance as it looks to moderate the steep increase that producers would have otherwise got.

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According to an order of the oil ministry, the committee under former Planning Commission member Sh. Kirit S Parikh will suggest a “fair price to the end consumer. The panel, which will include representatives of the gas producers association as also producers ONGC and OIL, has been asked to submit its report by the month-end.

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has set up a committee under noted energy expert Kirit Parikh to review the current gas pricing formula, Though the committee has been asked to submit the report by the end of this month, its inputs won’t be used for the next six monthly revision of the gas prices for the October 2022-March 2023 period.

It also has a member from private city gas operators, state gas utility GAIL, a representative of Indian Oil Corporation and a member from the fertiliser ministry, the order said.

The government had in 2014 used prices in gas surplus countries to arrive at a formula for locally produced gas. The rates according to this formula were subdued and at times lower than the cost of production till March 2022 but rose sharply thereafter, reflecting the surge in global rates in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The prices, which are payable to Reliance and ONGC, are due for revision on October 1.

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/business/govt-sets-up-panel-to-review-gas-pricing-429417

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Natural gas prices may double in October this year

As natural gas in India are set to cost almost double from next month, the government has kicked off a review of the pricing formula for the locally produced fuel to ensure fair price to end-consumers.

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The domestic gas prices have increased by over three times from $1.8 a million metric British thermal unit in the first half of FY22 to $6.1 an mmBtuat present. This is expected to increase to $10.5-11/mmBtu from Oct. 1, 2022.

The availability of long-term LNG contracts will be a major concern for India, as European buyers would crowd the market to reduce dependence on Russian gas.

This would mean government may reconsider the current pricing formula and change the reference prices, as the world is seeing a tectonic realignment of demand and supply.

India has been a price-sensitive market for spot LNG. Hence, LNG at more than $20 an mmBtu will lead to few takers.

https://www.bqprime.com/economy-finance/natural-gas-prices-may-double-in-october-capping-it-may-not-be-a-solution

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LNG Use / LNG Development and Shipping

Gazprom Singapore pays ‘meagre’ penalty for defaulted LNG deliveries to India

A former unit of Russia’s Gazprom is paying a ‘meagre’ penalty for the liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes it had failed to deliver to India since early June to absolve itself of all contractual liabilities, a top government official said.

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Gazprom Marketing and Trading Singapore (GMTS), under a long-term 20-year contract, was to supply 2.5 million tonne of LNG to state-owned GAIL (India) Ltd this year. But it has not supplied any cargo or shipload of LNG since early June. The price of LNG under the long-term contract comes to $12-14 per million British thermal unit and GMTS is paying 20% of this for the default, he said.

PTI had first reported on the GMTS default on July 19. With alternative supplies costing at least three times the price of GMTS shipments, GAIL has reduced supply to users by about 10% and is exploring options to advance some of the U.S. supplies.

GAIL had in 2012 signed a 20-year deal with Russia’s Gazprom to buy 2.85 million tonne of LNG. Supplies started in 2018 and the full volume was to reach in 2023. GMTS had signed the deal on behalf of Gazprom. GMTS was moved to Gazprom Germania and in early April, Gazprom gave up the ownership of the German unit without giving a reason and placed parts of it under Russian sanctions.

As per the deal, GMTS was to supply LNG to GAIL from its portfolio of production. But the Russian sanctions mean it cannot source LNG from Russia. Under the long-term deal, GMTS was to supply 2.5 million tonne or a minimum of 36 cargoes of LNG to GAIL during the calendar year 2022. GAIL received one cargo of LNG in June and nothing after that. Under the deal, GMTS was to progressively increase supplies to GAIL. It shipped 2 million tonne of LNG in 2021 and was to supply 2.5 million tonne in 2022. The full volume of 2.85 million tonne is to be reached in 2023.

The U.S. and European nations have imposed heavy sanctions on Russia since Moscow sent troops into Ukraine on February 24. Some western oil firms have announced exit from Russian projects and Indian firms are being considered a natural candidate to step in.

https://www.thehindu.com/business/gazprom-singapore-pays-meagre-penalty-for-defaulted-lng-deliveries-to-india/article65883314.ece

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India’s LNG imports seen at multi-year lows in August 2022

LNG imports by India likely hovered near multi-year lows in August while natural gas inflows so far this year are estimated have declined more than 10% on year, said S&P Globa, citing the impact of shrinking global supplies and high prices.

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India’s August LNG imports were only around 1.45 million tonne, the lowest since at least 2018, compared with 1.84 million tonne in July, according to shipping data from S&P Global Commodity Insights. The most recent buy-tenders awarded were by GAIL and GSPC concluded in late-July for August and September deliveries, respectively. The only other tenders awarded in the past month by GAIL were swap arrangements for its existing US FOB contracts in exchange for India-delivered cargoes.

Indian buyers attributed their unwillingness to purchase expensive LNG spot cargoes to their inability to pass on costs to industrial and residential customers, as well as lower domestic gas prices due to existing price ceilings.

https://www.livemint.com/industry/energy/indias-lng-imports-seen-at-multi-year-lows-in-august-s-p-global-11662543161114.html

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Petronet to invest Rs 40,000 cr in 5 yrs for expanding LNG import infrastructure

Petronet LNG Ltd, India’s biggest gas importer, will invest Rs 40,000 crore in the next five years for expanding LNG import infrastructure as well as foraying into new business to boost profitability to Rs 10,000 crore. Petronet, which operates two liquefied natural gas (LNG) import facilities at Dahej in Gujarat and Kochi in Kerala.

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It had a net profit or profit after tax of Rs 3,352 crore on a turnover of Rs 43,169 crore in fiscal 2021-22 LNG is natural gas that has been cooled down to liquid form for ease of transporting in ships. At the import terminal, LNG is regassified into its gaseous state before piping it to users like power plants for production of electricity and fertiliser units for making urea and other crop nutrients.

It is adding two more LNG storage tanks to the present six tanks at Dahej at a cost of Rs 1,250 crore. This is in line with the government vision of raising the share of natural gas in the primary energy basket of the country from 6.7 per cent to 15 per cent by 2030.

Petronet’s Kochi terminal has a capacity to import and regassify 5 million tonnes per annum of LNG. The company said it also plans to set up a petrochemical complex based on imported propane at Dahej LNG terminal. It, however, did not give cost estimates or the timelines for the project.

Petronet currently imports LNG on long-term contracts from Qatar and Australia. The re-gassified LNG is supplied to offtakers GAIL (India) Ltd, Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) for further sale to actual users.

GAIL, IOC, BPCL and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) hold 12.5 per cent stake each in Petronet.

https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/petronet-to-invest-rs-40000-cr-in-5-yrs/2654544/

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India’s first LNG trucks, a ‘major evolution’ in commercial transport

Earlier this month clean fuel company Blue Energy Motors launched India’s first liquefied natural gas (LNG)-fuelled green truck manufacturing plant in Chakan, Pune. The facility was inaugurated by Sh. Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister, Road Transport and Highways. Now, on September 12,  BEM announced that it has launched its first LNG trucks with BS VI-compliant engines.

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The facility was opened on September 02 and reflects BEM’s intention to ‘disrupt the trucking industry in India’ by manufacturing clean energy, near-zero emission trucks.  

Having signed an agreement with FPT Industrial – the global powertrain brand of Iveco Group (IVG) – the company will launch its first trucks with FPT’s BS VI-compliant engines, capable of reducing CO2 emissions up to 30% compared to ‘conventional solutions’.

Commenting on the announcement of the new facility, Sh. Anirudh Bhuwalka, CEO, BEM, stated here that India’s first LNG truck manufacturing facility in Chakan, Pune, is first step towards pioneering the green trucking revolution. Further, he added that BEM aim to decarbonise the environment by providing an immediate solution and breaking the barriers of economic returns.

The first model will be a 5528 4×2 tractor equipped with the FPT N67 NG engine, utilising a 1,000 litre-cryogenic tank for transportation of the LNG cargo.  Regarded as one of the powerful natural gas engines in the market, FPT’s technology is compatible with compressed natural gas (CNG), LNG, and biomethane.  

The engine harnesses stoichiometric combustion to optimise fuel consumption and reduce noise in comparison with diesel engines.  

This agreement is of the utmost importance for FPT Industrial, now and in the future, as we want our leading technologies to play a key role to support the ecological transition of one of the world’s largest vehicle markets.

The union government currently has a plan to set up 1,000 LNG stations over the next five years, including on major highways and trunk routes across the country to support longer-distance, heavy duty haulage.

https://www.gasworld.com/indias-first-lng-trucks-a-major-evolution-in-commercial-transport/2023764.article

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Electric Mobility/ Hydrogen/ Bio- Methane

Delhi Govt launches open database for EV charging

Delhi government on Tuesday, September 13, launched an Open Database Facility for EV (electric vehicle) charging and battery swapping stations on its Switch Delhi portal for electric vehicles in Delhi.

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Delhi Transport Minister Sh. Kailash Gehlot said that it will enable people to now use their favourite apps to locate more than 2500 charging points and battery swapping stations across Delhi. This number is expected to reach 18,000 by 2025, he added.

EV players can further develop platforms to provide seamless information about charging and battery swapping stations to all EV users in Delhi. For accessing dynamic EV charging and battery swapping station data, a private API key to all registered service providers will be provided after submission of the request.

All entities operating public and/or semi-public EV charging or swapping stations in Delhi will be required to submit data to the open database within 3 weeks of notification of this order.

https://newindian.in/delhi-govt-launches-open-database-for-ev-charging/

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IOC to have 4,000 EV charging stations by FY23

State-run Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) on Thursday, September 08, said that it aims to expand its electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, which are set up at its fuel retailing points, to 4,000 by FY23-end. The oil marketing behemoth already has more than 2,500 EV charging stations.

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Indian Oil has been in the forefront for serving EV customers and has already provided 2,500+ EV charging stations at fuel stations across the country and plans to increase numbers to 4,000 by end of current financial year.

IOC aims to achieve net-zero operational carbon emissions by 2046, which is in line with India’s aim to reach net-zero emissions by 2070. To cut emissions, the OMC is focused on renewable energy and is aggressively setting up solar energy facilities at fuel stations.

IndianOil has already solarised more than 20,000 fuel stations across India (among highest in the world) with installed capacity of 116.4 megawatt (MW). Electric vehicle charging facilities will further complement the Net Zero plan of IndianOil.

https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/ioc-to-have-4000-ev-charging-stations-by-fy23/article65867395.ece

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Natural Gas / Transnational Pipelines/ Others

U.S.A Manufacturers push regulators for more natural gas pipelines

Manufacturers told lawmakers that federal agencies should have a responsibility to secure reliable and affordable access to natural gas, mainly through dramatic growth in pipeline infrastructure.

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A letter released Friday, September 09, envisions an industry-oriented course correction at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the North American Electric Reliability Corp. one that sees the agencies turn from slow-walking regulators to active proponents of new infrastructure. The letter argues a transformation is necessary because of the dire energy situation U.S. manufacturers find themselves in. Manufacturers, which have long used natural gas for fuel and as raw material, have been particularly slammed by the rising costs and have to compete with utilities and LNG export facilities for the fuel.

IECA is particularly concerned over natural gas prices heading into winter, when increased demand from utilities and export facilities for heating and power generation may strain existing pipeline capacity even further and skyrocket what they see as already untenable prices. FERC and NERC, Cicio argues, have an obligation to step in and ensure adequate pipeline capacity to fulfill the national imperatives of reliable energy and electricity.

U.S. manufacturers have been sounding the alarm on natural gas infrastructure since February and have also called for gas export bans to shore up domestic supply Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chair Joe Manchin’s yet-to-be-released permitting reform package would in theory help natural gas infrastructure projects get quick regulatory authorization and hasten construction times

However, there is still stringent opposition from environmentalists and some Democrats to new natural gas projects. On Thursday, activists from Indigenous and front-line communities rallied in a Capitol Hill park and called on lawmakers to oppose permitting reforms and new natural gas projects.

https://www.eenews.net/articles/manufacturers-push-regulators-for-more-natural-gas-pipelines/

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Russia’s Gazprom piping gas to Europe via Ukraine after Nord Stream stoppage

Russia’s Gazprom (GAZP.MM) said it would ship 42.7 mcm of natural gas to Europe through Ukraine on Saturday, September 03, hours after it announced that flows through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline to Germany would not resume as planned.

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Flows via the Sudzha entry point were up slightly compared to the 41.3 mcm Gazprom sent on Friday, but not enough to compensate for missing gas that were expected to be pumped through Nord Stream 1 on Saturday.

Gazprom announced late Friday, September 02, it had detected an oil leakage on equipment during Nord Stream 1 maintenance work and would not be able to resume flows. It set no timeframe for fixing the problem.

Siemens Energy (ENR1n.DE), which normally services Nord Stream 1 turbines, said such a leak should not stop the pipeline from operating. It also said the Portovaya compressor station, where the leak was discovered, has other turbines to keep Nord Stream 1 operating.

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/gazprom-piping-gas-europe-via-ukraine-after-nord-stream-stoppage-2022-09-03/

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CNOOC starts gas projects in the south China sea

Chinese state-owned CNOOC on September 01, announced that Dongfang 1-1 gas field southeast zone and Ledong 22-1 gas field south block development started production ahead of schedule.

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The projects are located in Yinggehai, western South China Sea. CNOOC plans to commission four development wells and produce through two subsea production systems, two mixed transportation pipelines of oil and gas and two umbilicals.

The projects are expected to reach peak production of approximately 44mn ft3/day of natural gas. CNOOC holds 100% interest in the projects.

https://www.naturalgasworld.com/cnooc-starts-gas-projects-in-south-china-sea-100590

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Construction of Poland-Slovakia gas pipeline Completed, operations to begin in Oct 2022

A ceremony to celebrate the completion of the Poland – Slovakia gas interconnector was held in Strachocina, Poland, on Friday, August 26, with representatives from the Polish and Slovak governments among the dignitaries who graced the occasion. The new gas connection is scheduled for commercial operation in October 2022.

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The new interconnector will transport 5.7 bcm of gas annually to Poland and 4.7 bcm to Slovakia. The gas connection will enable Poland to link to gas infrastructure resources in Southern Europe, the Caucasus, and North Africa. Slovakia and other CEE countries will access gas from the Baltic pipes, the LNG Terminal in Klaipeda, and the LNG Terminal in Swinoujscie.

Prime Minister Mr. Eduard Heger stated that the war in Ukraine showed how fragile the energy stability is. The gas pipeline project between Slovakia and Poland is a strategic step and an important European project. For Slovakia, it means gas supplies security, it will give us access to LNG gas transported by sea and to resources from Norway. The launch of the gas pipeline is an important contribution of Poland and Slovakia to Pan-European energy security.

Mr. Rastislav Nukovic, eustream’s general director, also said the gas connection between Poland and Slovakia was a major achievement for CEE energy security. He added that its completion was an important indicator before the forthcoming summer season since it opens new market supply possibilities.

The Poland-Slovakia pipeline is 164 kilometers long and has a diameter of DN 1000. The pipeline runs 61.3 kilometers in Poland and 103 kilometers in Slovakia. It ends in Velke Kapusany in Slovakia. The Polish and Slovak gas connection system has been hailed as key energy security in the EU. The project has appeared on the European Commission-issued Projects of Common Interest (PCI) list since 2013. The project was co-financed by the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility.

https://www.pipeline-journal.net/news/construction-poland-slovakia-gas-pipeline-completed-operations-begin-oct-2022

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Natural Gas / LNG Utilization

Dubai, UAE: ADNOC to supply natural gas to DUSUP for power generation

Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. (ADNOC) signed an agreement with Dubai Supply Authority (DUSUP) to supply natural gas for electricity generation at a complex in Dubai, UAE.

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The natural gas will be used instead of clean coal for electricity generation at Dubai Electricity and Water Authority PJSC (DEWA)’s IPP (Independent Power Producer) Hassyan Power Complex, further reducing carbon emissions from the power generation process, ADNOC said in a release September 09. Domestically produced natural gas is more commercially competitive compared to imported coal or gas and it will support economic growth while lowering emissions when used as a substitute for coal in power generation.

The Hassyan Power Complex was initially built as a dual-fuel plant with the ability to operate full-time at full load on both natural gas or clean coal but has been transformed to run only on natural gas. Present net electricity generation capacity of Hassyan Power Complex is 1,200 megawatts (Mw). A further 600 Mw (net) is scheduled to be added this year’s fourth quarter and an additional 600 Mw (net) will be added by third-quarter 2023.

https://www.ogj.com/general-interest/article/14282615/adnoc-to-supply-natural-gas-to-dusup-for-power-generation

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Europe imports China’s surplus LNG to avoid winter crisis

Countries across Europe are doing all they can to cut gas demand and avoid a winter supply crisis but uncertainty still remains as to whether this will be enough to make sure supplies last through the cold winter months ahead.

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Germany, for example, has taken several measures to reduce gas demand to meet its storage targets, setting out plans to reduce heating in public buildings and shutting down electricity supplies.

European countries facing a shortage of gas supplies may have found a solution to their problem as China starts selling its surplus of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). As the world’s largest buyer of LNG, China is reselling some of its surpluses because of weak energy demand at home and as a result, Europe may avoid energy shortages this coming winter.

LNG imports from China would definitely help given the tightness of the European gas market because now China has a relatively healthier inventory than Europe. With China selling rather than buying, it will definitely help Europe build up its storage because China has a relatively healthier inventory than Europe. But despite increased Chinese imports of LNG gas to Europe and the possibility, this will alleviate supply shortages, further measures by governments across Europe could still be necessary. Energy rationing could be a reality in the coming months.

https://newseu.cgtn.com/news/2022-09-03/China-sells-surplus-Liquified-Natural-Gas-to-Europe-1d0zlxJVHAQ/index.html

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YPF and Petronas sign agreement to advance the development of LNG in Argentina

YPF signed on September 02, with Petronas, the Malaysian national oil and gas company, a Joint Study and Development Agreement (JSDA) for an integrated LNG project in Argentina that will cover the Upstream with non-gas production. conventional, the development of gas pipelines and infrastructure, the production of LNG, as well as international marketing and logistics.

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Argentina has the second largest unconventional gas reserves in the world. Therefore, both companies are interested in developing the “LNG Project”, taking advantage of YPF’s leadership in the development of Vaca Muerta and the experience and knowledge accumulated by the Petronas Group in the operation of LNG liquefaction facilities, both onshore and offshore all over the world. This LNG project will meet the global demand for gas, where it will replace more carbon-intensive energy sources, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

YPF and Petronas believe that the combination of their efforts with a long-term perspective will generate more efficient operations, optimize investments and allow them to capture better market opportunities. Since 2014, both companies have been associated in the development of the La Amarga Chica block in Vaca Muerta, today with a production of more than 40,000 barrels of oil and 1 million cubic meters of gas per day.

The LNG project will release the full potential of Vaca Muerta, generating a huge positive impact on the Argentine economy, creating thousands of jobs, multiplying economic activity and developing a new export business. In addition to this Agreement (JSDA), YPF and PETRONAS signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), to continue collaboration in Argentina in other areas such as oil production, petrochemicals and clean energy solutions.

https://www.bnamericas.com/en/news/ypf-and-petronas-sign-agreement-to-advance-in-the-development-of-lng-in-argentina

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Hungary signs deal with Gazprom for 5.8 bcm of natural gas

Hungary announced, it has signed a deal with Russian energy giant Gazprom for 5.8 bcm of extra natural gas. Zoltan Kovacs, international spokesman for Hungary’s government, said it would be on top of the country’s current supplies.

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Mr. Péter Szijjártó specified that in September and October, Gazprom will deliver a maximum of 5.8 mcm more natural gas per day to Hungary via Serbia than what was specified in its long-term contract.

EU foreign affairs ministers were meeting to debate a possible visa ban on Russian tourists in response to the war in Ukraine. Mr. Szijjártó added that during the foreign affairs meeting, he spoke out against a possible visa ban on Russians. The announcement comes as Europe scrambles to cut energy consumption and cope with a reduction in supply of Russian gas.

The Russian state-owned energy company had increased supplies to Hungary earlier this month even as it stopped flows to other European countries.

Hungarian Prime Minister Mr. Viktor Orban had previously indicated that he would sign an agreement with Russia to secure natural gas for the country. Foreign affairs minister Mr. Szijjártó travelled to Moscow in July to discuss a possible deal. The government opposes any possible EU sanctions on natural gas from Russia.

https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2022/08/31/hungary-signs-deal-with-gazprom-for-58bn-cubic-metres-of-natural-gas

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Global LNG Development

Russia exported its first shipment from the new LNG plant to greece

Russia will send the first shipment from its newest liquefied natural gas terminal to Greece, a surprise destination as Europe tries to reduce its dependency on Moscow for energy supplies.

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The first cargo from the Portovaya LNG plant on Russia’s Baltic coast will head to Greece, according to a person with direct knowledge of the matter, who declined to be identified because the information is private. The buyer of the cargo wasn’t disclosed.

The new terminal, near the shuttered Nord Stream gas pipeline to Germany, is starting amid an unprecedented energy crisis aggravated by Russia’s decision to slash flows to Europe. But while pipeline supplies have virtually halted, the super-chilled fuel from another Russian LNG plant is still landing in European ports. There are currently no sanctions on Russian LNG in Europe, although the UK stopped taking super-chilled fuel from the country after the war in Ukraine started.

Greece’s sole LNG facility can send out 6 bcm a year, about half of which goes north to Bulgaria and North Macedonia and the rest to the domestic market. Bulgaria was cut off from Russian pipeline gas earlier this year after it refused to comply with new payment terms from Russia.

Gazprom Starts Producing LNG at Plant Near Nord Stream Pipeline The Pskov LNG tanker is currently moored at Portovaya LNG plant, taking the first shipment onboard, according to ship-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg.

https://financialpost.com/pmn/business-pmn/russia-poised-to-ship-first-cargo-from-new-lng-plant-to-greece

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USA: Delfin midstream inks LNG partnership with Devon Energy

Delfin Midstream and Devon Energy have entered into a liquefied natural gas export partnership that includes an executed Heads of Agreement for long-term liquefaction capacity and a pre-Financial Investment Decision strategic investment by Devon in Delfin.

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The Heads of Agreement provides the framework for finalizing a definitive long-term tolling agreement representing 1.0 million tons per annum (mtpa) of liquefaction capacity in Delfin’s first Floating LNG vessel, with the ability to add an additional 1.0 mtpa in Delfin’s first or a future Floating LNG vessel.

In addition to providing Devon up to 2.0 mtpa of total liquefaction capacity on a long-term basis, the Heads of Agreement also provides an opportunity for additional future equity investments in Delfin by Devon. Devon’s 2022 guidance will remain unchanged.

Following its recent announcement of a binding sales and purchase agreement with Vitol and a Heads of Agreement with Centrica, this announcement represents Delfin’s third major agreement in the past two months. Delfin is also in numerous advanced discussions on additional binding SPAs, HOAs, and tolling agreements like those previously announced.

As a modular project requiring only 2.0 to 2.5 mtpa of long-term contracts to begin construction, and with all necessary permits in hand, Delfin is on schedule to make FID on its first FLNG vessel by the end of this year.

https://www.rigzone.com/news/delfin_midstream_inks_lng_parnership_with_devon_energy-09-sep-2022-170297-article/

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Netherlands: EemsEnergyTerminal welcomes both FSRUs

EemsEnergyTerminal in the Netherlands is now entering the next phase, making the terminal technically ready, after both of its FSRUs arrived at the terminal.

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This new LNG terminal at Eemshaven is to increase the security of the energy supply in order for the Netherlands and Europe to become less dependent on Russian gas. Until this year, the Netherlands only had an LNG terminal in the port of Rotterdam. The expansion in the Eemshaven and the optimization of the terminal in Rotterdam will double the import capacity for LNG. The LNG terminal in the port of Eemshaven includes two floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs).

On September 07, Gasunie reported that both FSRUs have arrived at Eemshaven. The Golar Igloo (built by New Fortress Energy) arrived on 4 September 2022 and the Eemshaven LNG installation (built by Exmar) also arrived on 6 September 2022. Therefore, the project is now entering the next phase, which involves making the terminal technically ready.

The first LNG delivery will also follow this week, Gasunie said. LNG will then be converted into gaseous natural gas. Gas is expected to flow through Gasunie’s gas transport network for the first time in mid-September. Various tasks to complete the project will take place in the coming weeks.

EemsEnergyTerminal expects to be able to receive, unload and ship around 18 LNG cargoes during the period up to 31 December 2022.

https://www.offshore-energy.biz/eemsenergyterminal-welcomes-both-fsrus/

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Renergen starts South African LNG plant

Renergen on September 05 announced it had started operations at South Africa’s first commercial LNG plant. The start of Virginia gas plant has turned Renergen into a producer from explorers. Renergen will now focus on ramping-up operations over the coming months to full phase one capacity.

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This watershed moment in the company’s lifecycle has finally arrived. This is a significant step on the path to showing the world that Renergen can become a global player in liquid helium supply and a material local supplier of much-needed LNG. The Virginia project comprises various gas fields across Welkom, Virginia and Theunissen in South Africa’s Free State. Their natural gas is very pure, according to Renergen, with an average methane content of more than 90%, but they also contain some of the richest helium concentrations recorded globally.

Renergen in June this year signed a preliminary agreement for a loan of up to $500mn from the US International Development Finance Corp. for the second phase of the Virginia project.

https://www.naturalgasworld.com/renergen-starts-south-african-lng-plant-100691

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USA: Commonwealth LNG, Woodside finalise LNG pact

US LNG developer Commonwealth LNG and Australian energy company Woodside Energy have finalised an LNG deal by converting their non-binding heads of agreement (HoA) into two binding LNG sale and purchase agreements (SPAs), the companies said on September 05 in a joint statement.

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The SPAs are for the supply of up to 2.5mn metric tons/year of LNG over 20 years from Commonwealth’s LNG export facility under development in Cameron Parish, Louisiana. Key terms in the HoA,  announced in January this year, remain unchanged in the binding SPAs, with first deliveries expected to begin in mid-2026.

The SPAs will become fully effective upon the satisfaction of customary conditions, including an affirmative final investment decision on the project.

https://www.naturalgasworld.com/commonwealth-lng-woodside-finalise-lng-pact-100663

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Senegal, West Africa: Phase-II of Senegal LNG project needs $5 billion

The second phase of Senegal’s Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) gas project will need investments worth around $5 billion and could start in 2024 or 2025, Senegal’s President Mr. Macky Sall. BP and U.S.-listed Kosmos Energy are leading the development of GTA and Yakaar-Teranga, Senegal’s first natural gas projects.

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The first phase of GTA, which straddles the border between Senegal and Mauritania, is 80% complete and expected to start delivering gas by the end of 2023.

A Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) is expected to sail from China to the site by the end of the year, BP Executive Vice-President for Production and Operations Gordon Birrell told the same conference earlier on Thursday, September 01.

BP is in discussions with Senegal and Mauritania about GTA’s phase two and other projects in both countries, Birrell said without elaborating. Another long-awaited oil and gas project, Sangomar, is also expected to begin production in the second half of next year.

Australia’s Woodside holds 82% of the field being developed off the coast of Senegal and the national oil company Petrosen the rest. Woodside Executive Vice-President for International Operations Shiva McMahon, told the conference the project was 60% complete.

https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/VESSEL-CO-LTD-32089761/news/Phase-2-of-Senegal-LNG-project-needs-5-billion-president-41671841/

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German government announces fifth floating LNG terminal

Berlin has arranged for a fifth floating liquified natural gas (LNG) terminal in order to increase the amount of LNG the country is able to import, which may be a boon to the country’s landlocked neighbours.

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In May, the government announced that it had secured four of these repurposed LNG tankers. The retrofit ships, of which fewer than 70 exist worldwide, can regasify liquid fossil gas after shipping. Aside from the now five envisioned by the German government, private investors hope to station another in Lubmin, where the infamous Nord Stream pipelines come on land.

Each of the government’s five mobile LNG terminals will be able to provide a minimum of 5 bcm of gas per year, although some may be able to regasify around 8 bcm. Imports from Russia were historically around 50 bcm per year.

The first two, at 5 bcm minimum capacity each, will enter operations before 2023, the government said, with anticipated start dates of around October or November 2022. The other three are slated to begin operating in advance of the following winter.

After all, the FSRU may be relatively short-lived before being salvaged for parts to help TES build its hydrogen import infrastructure, which is both cheaper and more environmentally friendly. TES hopes to begin importing hydrogen in 2025, the German government said. Experts are largely critical of the merits of shipping hydrogen.

https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy/news/german-government-announces-fifth-floating-lng-terminal/

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Namibia to learn from Equatorial Guinea on LNG development

Namibia and Equatorial Guinea are looking to strengthen energy ties and specifically focusing on LNG development and knowledge-sharing opportunities. A high-level delegation led by Hon. Tom Alweendo, Namibia’s Minister of Mines and Energy, is conducting a diplomatic visit to regional gas leader, Equatorial Guinea, this week with the aim of strengthening energy ties and expanding dialogue between the two nations.

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The delegation conducted a site visit to Equatorial Guinea’s Punta Europa LNG complex (EG LNG), gaining insights into facility operations.

Bilateral meetings discussed the role NOCs play in driving oil and gas developments in Africa; the training and development of nationals; and the role gas plays in boosting the local and regional economies, with both SONAGAS and GEPetrol providing key insight into strategies for gas monetisation as well as the rapid developments of resources.

Having made two sizeable oil and gas discoveries this year, Namibia is committed to seeing these developments come online as soon as possible. A group of Namibian engineers will stay on in Equatorial Guinea for the next four months, training and working closely with Equatorial Guinean nationals.

Following the visit to Equatorial Guinea, Minister Alweendo is set to depart for Senegal, where he will join other West African energy ministers at the 2022 edition of the MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power conference – taking place under the auspices of H.E. Macky Sall, Senegalese President and current Chairperson of the African Union.

African leaders are being urged to ‘fast track’ projects amid escalating supply constraints. Those underway include the 3.4Mtpa Coral Floating LNG project, the 12.8Mtpa Mozambique LNG project and the 1.2 Rovuma LNG project in Mozambique as well as the $4.8bn Grand Tortue Ahmeyim gas project co-developed by Senegal and Mauritania.

Currently operational terminals for the LNG exports in Africa have a combined capacity of 75m MT per year. Algeria presents the largest annual LNG export capacity in the continent, with 29.3m MT, followed by Nigeria with 22.2m MT.

https://www.gasworld.com/namibia-to-learn-from-equatorial-guinea-on-lng-development/2023694.article

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Latvia backs Skulte LNG import terminal in Europe

Latvia’s government is backing the construction of the planned LNG import facility at the port of Skulte, as the Baltic country looks to diversify its gas supply sources. According to a statement released on Tuesday, Latvia’s Cabinet of Ministers has decided to grant the status of a national interest object to the Skulte LNG import facility.

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The government evaluated two LNG import projects and chose the Skulte LNG import facility. According to the statement, the draft law would be presented to the government by September 20. Also, the country’s parliament or Saeima has to approve this law.

The government’s decision would allow for faster and simplified administrative procedures for the implementation of the LNG import project. Skulte LNG developers expect to complete the LNG terminal within 16 months.

In May 2022, Latvian fuel trader Virši-A signed a deal to buy a 20 percent stake in the planned LNG import facility at the port of Skulte. Virši and the project developer Skulte LNG Terminal will work to jointly develop the facility.

Established in 2016, Skulte LNG Terminal’s shareholders include the National Gas Terminal Society and Peter A. Ragauss, an entrepreneur with experience in the energy sector in the US market.

The terminal developer plans to install a floating regasification unit (FRU) at Skulte port area, 2.5 km offshore from coast line, with pipeline connection to the Inčukalns underground gas storage facility. The facility would have a capacity of up to 3 mtpa.

Latvia currently has no LNG import terminals but its neighbor Lithuania imports LNG via the Klaipeda FSRU, while Estonia is also building an LNG terminal in Paldiski and the country chartered an FSRU with Finland, as part of plans to phase out Russian gas supplies. Earlier this year, Latvia’s energy firm Latvenergo also said it would import regasified LNG via the Klaipeda facility.

https://lngprime.com/europe/latvia-backs-skulte-lng-import-terminal/60432/

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Estonia: Stage one of Paldiski LNG terminal completed

Phase one of the construction of a LNG terminal in the port city of Paldiski is to be completed on Wednesday, August 31.

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The terminal is part of an effort to meet Estonia’s annual natural gas consumption needs, estimated at 5TWh, while decoupling from supplies from the Russian Federation. LNG as its name suggests is transported in liquid form via ship and then regassified on terra firma, for supply to consumers.

The work has gone to plan, Reedik Raudla, construction manager at the Pakrineeme Sadam, the company overseeing the terminal.

Gas and electricity supplier Elering says the ship-to-shore pipeline will be finished by November 30, while Estonian investors say that the overall facility at Paldiski will be ready earlier than its equivalent on the other side of the Gulf of Finland, at Inkoo.

Both terminals will be ready by December, providing a choice, meaning Paldiski may remain a back-up terminal for now. Estonian firms who can take advantage of the Paldiski facility include Alexela and Eesti Gaas.

https://news.err.ee/1608700438/stage-one-of-paldiski-lng-terminal-completes-wednesday

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GO TOP

LNG as a Marine Fuel/Shipping

Chinese shipyard completes FPSO vessel for LNG project in Africa

Chinese shipyard COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry has completed the construction of floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel, also the world’s largest one, that will be used by a liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in Africa.

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The ship will serve the Tortue/Ahmeyim liquefied natural gas field off the coast of Mauritania and Senegal in West Africa after delivery, supplying LNG to Mauritania, Senegal and other countries in the region, according to the report. The project will also play an important role in the development of international green energy.

The ship was reportedly ordered by British oil and gas giant BP PLC and was jointly built by COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry Co and TechnipFMC PLC. A completion ceremony for the Tortue FPSO was held last Friday, September 09.

The vessel is 70 meters long, 54 meters wide, and 31.5 meters deep. The designed service life is 30 years and the oil storage capacity is 1.44 million barrels. The living quarters can accommodate 140 people. The construction started in May 2019 and it included the design, procurement, construction and commissioning of the main hull and living quarters and the construction and integration of all topside modules.

China held its lead in the global shipbuilding industry in the first half of 2022, with a 45.2% share of the global market, according to statistics released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). China was also first in terms of new orders, with a share of 50.8 percent, though new orders went down 41.3 percent year-on-year to 22.46 million DWT.

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202209/1275199.shtml

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Japan: MOL and ENN sign long-term charter deal for three newbuilding LNG carriers

Japan’s Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd has, through a subsidiary, signed a long-term charter contract for three newbuilding LNG carriers with ENN LNG (Singapore) Pte. Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of ENN Natural Gas Co., Ltd.

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The vessels will be constructed at Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co., Ltd of China, and are slated for delivery by 2028. After delivery, the vessels will be engaged mainly in transport of LNG, procured by ENN under long-term purchases contract, to China.

ENN is a leading privately-owned energy company, which has an extensive customer base in more than 20 provinces in China. It supplies 10% of natural gas consumption in China and operates a large LNG terminal in the Zhoushan area of Zhejiang Province. The contract was concluded based on ENN’s high evaluation of MOL’s track record in the LNG carrier business for China, its extensive experience in building LNG carriers in China, and its performance in safe cargo transport and safe operation of vessels.

China is increasingly shifting its energy sources from coal and oil to natural gas in response to growing awareness of the need for a low-carbon, decarbonised society, and in 2021 became the world’s largest LNG importer for the first time. China’s LNG demand is expected to grow even more in the future.

https://www.lngindustry.com/liquid-natural-gas/13092022/mol-and-enn-sign-long-term-charter-deal-for-three-newbuilding-lng-carriers/

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Bermuda, UK: GasLog inks new LNG carrier charter deal

Peter Livanos-led GasLog has signed a new charter deal for one of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers.The TFDE LNG carrier in question is the 2010-built GasLog Savannah with a capacity of 155,000 cbm.

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GasLog revealed the charter deal last month in its second-quarter results report. The firm signed the multi-month time charter party agreement with a “multinational oil and gas company”. GasLog said in the report it expects the charter to start in the third quarter of 2022.

The charterer of GasLog Savannah is the same “multinational oil and gas company” that booked one out of the four vessels GasLog ordered from South Korea’s Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering, according to the firm.

In December last year, GasLog placed an order for four ME-GI LNG carriers at DSME with deliveries scheduled in 2024 and 2025. Two of these four 174,000-cbm LNG carriers will go on charter to Australia’s LNG producer Woodside and one ship will serve Japan’s trading house Mitsui & Co.

Earlier this year, GasLog said in its first-quarter report it had chartered the fourth vessel in this batch for a period of seven years. This charter will start upon delivery of the vessel scheduled for the third quarter of 2024. During the second-quarter, Gaslog was also awarded a one-year charter deal by Greece’s DESFA for the 145,000-cbm Methane Lydon Volney.

The 2006-built LNG vessel serves as a floating storage unit at DESFA’s Revithoussa LNG import facility in Greece. Besides these deals, Gaslog Partners also secured two new charter deals and decided to sell one steam LNG carrier during the second quarter.

https://lngprime.com/europe/gaslog-inks-new-lng-carrier-charter-deal/61236/

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China: GTT receives order to design the tanks of four new LNG carriers

GTT has announced that it has received an order from its partner the Chinese shipyard Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co. Ltd for the tank design of four new LNG carriers on behalf of an Asian ship owner.

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GTT will design the tanks of these four vessels, each of which will offer a cargo capacity of 174 000 m3 and will be fitted with the NO96 Super+ membrane containment system, a technology developed by GTT. The delivery of the vessels is scheduled during 4Q26, 1Q27, and 2Q27.

https://www.lngindustry.com/liquid-natural-gas/02092022/gtt-receives-order-to-design-the-tanks-of-four-new-lng-carriers/

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A new vessel delivers LNG tank containers in China

Longkou Port in China’s Shandong Province unloads 402 units filled with liquefied natural gas on cargo ship’s first visit to Yantai City A newly christened large deck cargo ship now is delivering tank containers filled with liquified natural gas (LNG) to East China.

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The new vessel, named Tiger Bintulu, measures 192 meters long and 37.6 meters wide, and is capable of carrying nearly 700 LNG tank containers loaded with a combined 15,000 tons of LNG, according to a news release.

Strategically located in the center of the Bohai Rim economic zone, Longkou Port is attempting to establish an import model for LNG tank containers with fixed route and ships. Since the beginning of 2022, Longkou Customs reports it has supervised eight shipments of imported LNG tank container carriers, totaling 1,327 container units.

https://www.bulktransporter.com/green-trends/article/21249940/new-vessel-delivers-700-lng-tank-containers-to-chinas-shandong-province

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NYK, Kyuden Group ink charter agreement for new LNG carrier

On September 01, Japanese shipping company NYK and compatriot LNG trading company Q United Energy Supply & Trading (QUEST), part of Kyuden Group, signed a multi-year time charter contract for a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier. As informed, the 293-metre-long ship will be built at the South Korean shipyard Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) and delivered in 2024.

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This vessel will be equipped with a WinGD-made dual-fuel slow-speed diesel engine that has advanced fuel-consumption efficiency and can operate on marine gas oil or boil-off gas stored in the cargo tank. The carrier will also feature a re-liquefaction system that can use surplus boil-off gas efficiently.

According to NYK, the cargo tank will be a 174,000 cubic meter capacity membrane-type tank that will make use of advanced insulating materials to suppress the boil-off rate (percentage of gas volume that vaporizes during navigation) in the cargo tank and realize significantly more efficient, economical, and environmentally friendly operation.

With this charter contract, NYK aims to contribute to Japan’s stable energy supply. It will also cooperate with the Kyuden Group not only in the LNG transportation business but also in the LNG-fuel supply business for ships and the construction of the world’s first LNG-fueled large coal carrier.

In May this year, Kyushu Electric Power launched a new LNG trading subsidiary, QUEST, in response to increased demand for LNG. The Fukuoka-based unit will supplies LNG utilizing the company’s assets including LNG vessels and storage terminals, as well as the company’s trading capabilities, to meet various requirements from LNG customers.

https://www.offshore-energy.biz/nyk-kyuden-group-ink-charter-agreement-for-new-lng-carrier/

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South Korea: KNOT takes delivery of dual-fuel shuttle tanker, Charter secured with ENI

Knutsen NYK Offshore Tankers (KNOT), an affiliate of NYK,  has taken delivery of a dual-fuel LNG shuttle tanker built at Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering yard in South Korea. The vessel has been named “Sindre Knutsen.”

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Like its sister ship “Frida Knutsen,” which was delivered on August 2, the Sindre Knutsen vessel will be a dual-fuel shuttle tanker that can use both heavy fuel oil and LNG.

The ship will use LNG fuel, which is more environmentally friendly than conventional oil-fuel, and will be equipped with a VOC recovery system and an energy storage system, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The vessel will be chartered to ENI Trade & Biofuels S.p.A, a subsidiary of Italy’s Eni, and will be engaged in oil transportation in the North Sea and Barents Sea.

A shuttle tanker loads crude oil from floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) units in deepwater ocean fields while maintaining a certain distance, and then transports the oil to crude-oil storage units or petroleum storage stations on land.

https://www.oedigital.com/news/499129-knot-takes-delivery-of-dual-fuel-shuttle-tanker-charter-secured-with-eni

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Israel: ZIM announces $1bn LNG bunkering deal with Shell

ZIM Integrated Shipping Services (ZIM) announced the about a ten-year marine LNG sales and purchase agreement, valued at more than $1 billion with Shell NA LNG, LLC (Shell) to supply ten LNG-fuelled vessels that will be deployed on ZIM’s flagship ZIM Container Service Pacific (ZCP) on the Asia to USEC trade.

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These ten 15,000 TEU vessels are expected to enter into service during 2023-2024 and will be transporting goods from China and South Korea to US East Coast and the Caribbean.

LNG is the lowest carbon fuel available at scale today and it provides ~20% less GHG emissions when compared to conventional marine fuels. In addition to GHG emissions reduction, LNG emits virtually no Sulphur oxides (SOx) and particulate matter (PM), while significantly reducing nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. On the basis that LNG emits ~20% less GHG emissions when compared to conventional marine fuels, using LNG on ten ships is equivalent to having two out of the ten vessels in the fleet with zero emission for ZIM.

ZIM introduced the world’s first LNG fueled Very Large Container Ship (VLCS) fleet to operate on the Asia-North America shipping route. Decarbonisation of the shipping industry must begin today, and LNG is a lower emission fuel choice currently available in meaningful volumes, and via liquefied biomethane and liquified e-methane, offers a credible pathway to net zero GHG emissions. The agreement with Shell may also cover other trades where ZIM LNG vessels could be deployed.

https://www.logupdateafrica.com/shipping/zim-announces-1bn-lng-bunkering-deal-with-shell-1346338

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Technological Development for Cleaner and Greener Environment Hydrogen & Bio-Methane

Kenya’s electric mobility transformation can offer a model for other countries

Most Kenyans hop on the back of a motorbike taxi, known locally as a boda-boda, to get around town. With 22 million rides per day, it’s a sector that provides an estimated 1 million direct jobs for drivers.

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A cheaper, faster mode of transportation that can dodge traffic and access hard-to-reach areas, motorbike ridership in Kenya is expected to triple by 2030. However, these bikes are 10 times more polluting than cars, deteriorating air quality and threatening people’s health.

The good news is both the government and private sector in Kenya are making a serious effort to transform Kenya’s transportation sector, wherein electric motorcycles can provide a zero-emission alternative to high-polluting vehicles such as boda-boda taxis. Their approach, which has been widely successful, can serve as a model for other countries looking to improve people’s health and lower emissions from their vehicles.

However, while making electric mobility (e-mobility) transitions, emerging economies must confront the barriers to electric vehicle (EV) adoption. These include the high upfront costs of EVs, even though they are cheaper over the long run because of lower fuel and maintenance costs, concerns about the range of the battery charge and lack of charging infrastructure. Financiers are often hesitant to invest in e-mobility in these countries, because of concerns about financing new technology without proven experience for battery life and asset resale value, as well as the lack of bankable projects. Moreover, countries need to ensure EVs are linked to a grid powered by renewable energy, or EVs risk intensifying environmental burdens.

https://www.greenbiz.com/article/kenyas-electric-mobility-transformation-can-offer-model-other-countries

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USA: Raven Chooses Watlow as its Technology Partner for New Hydrogen Reactor

Watlow, a designer and manufacturer of complete industrial thermal systems, is proud to announce that it was selected by Raven SR Inc. as a thermal technology partner for the field trial of their non-combustion equilibrium Steam/CO2 Reforming SR2 unit which converted methane to transportation-grade hydrogen.

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The SR2 reactor successfully performed at a rate exceeding other commercially available technologies for hydrogen production from methane. Raven’s patented steam / carbon dioxide reforming process transforms all waste – biomass, municipal solid waste, bio-solids, industrial waste, sewage, medical waste and unwanted, unusable, excess, low methane natural gas – into synthetic gas, which is then converted into renewable energy products including hydrogen, sulfur and nitrogen-free Fischer-Tropsch synthetic fuels and additives and solvents.

The SR2 reactor utilizes Watlow’s zero-emissions electric heater technology to power Raven’s reductive chemical reaction, which eliminates combustion and is, therefore, a much cleaner process that converts all feedstock into fuel rather than incinerating it. Watlow’s thermal system includes high-temperature MULTICELL™ heaters, WATCONNECT® pre-engineered control panels and temperature and power controllers.

Additionally, Watlow engineers developed a special IoT device providing a cloud-connected dashboard for data logging, near real-time monitoring of system output and visualization of thermal performance. The solution also provides a foundation for diagnostic and predictive analytics of the system at scale.

Raven’s technology provides a carbon-free solution for both the creation and consumption of energy. Hydrogen can be produced with no harmful emissions to power fuel cells that can create electricity with only heat and water vapor as the byproducts.

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220913005471/en/Raven%E2%84%A2-Chooses-Watlow%C2%AE-as-its-Technology-Partner-for-New-Hydrogen-Reactor

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