NGS’ NG/LNG SNAPSHOT – October 16-31, 2021
National News Internatonal News
NATIONAL NEWS
City Gas Distribution & Auto LPG
Fuel price hike: Petrol, diesel prices rally to highest ever levels; CNG price increases but benefits being cheaper option
Petrol and diesel prices rallied to their highest ever levels across the country, as fuel rates were hiked again by 35 paise a litre. The price of petrol in Delhi rose to its highest-ever level of Rs 105.14 a litre and Rs 111.09 per litre in Mumbai,
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according to a price notification of state-owned fuel retailers. In Mumbai, diesel now comes for Rs 101.78 a litre; while in Delhi, it costs Rs 93.87.
CNG price was also hiked by ₹2.6/kg in Pune and by Rs 1.5/kg in Ahmedabad and now stands at Rs 62.99 per kg. After keeping the prices stable for more than one and a half years, the state-run Gujarat Gas Limited (GGL) also hiked its CNG price by 8.33 per kg or by 16 per cent since August.
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High fuel prices spur demand for CNG vehicles, says Maruti
Maruti Suzuki is witnessing strong demand for CNG-powered vehicles and expects more than 80% growth in sales of such vehicles this fiscal, said Shashank Srivastava, senior executive director (Marketing & Sales). This is in the backdrop of pump prices of petrol and diesel hovering at all-time highs.
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India’s largest carmaker sold about 1.6 lakh CNG vehicles in FY21, and expects this number to climb to about 3 lakh in the current financial year
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Many vehicle owners switching to CNG in Bengaluru
Skyrocketing petrol and diesel prices are forcing many vehicle owners in the city to switch to compressed natural gas (CNG). The number of vehicles running on the cleaner fuel in the state has gone up by 16% in the last 50 days.
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The rise is sharper in Bengaluru: At least 20%. Petrol was sold at Rs 111.34 per litre and diesel at Rs 102.23. GAIL Gas officials said their scheme launched on September 10 to promote CNG-run vehicles has been receiving good response in the city.
Karnataka now has 12,300 CNG-run vehicles, including 1,690 newly migrated vehicles, under the GAIL scheme. The total number of CNG-run vehicles now in Bengaluru is 8,000. GAIL Gas statistics show average daily CNG sales too have increased from 16,000kg in August, 20,000kg per day in September and 23,500kg in October. There are 39 CNG filling stations across the city. Another 50 stations are expected to come up by 2022-23.
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Electric Mobility/ Hydrogen/ Bio- Methane
GAIL to build 4.5 tpd green hydrogen plant
India’s largest state-owned natural gas company is looking to buy a 10 MW electrolyzer to produce 4.5 tons of green hydrogen daily. Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL), India’s largest state-owned natural gas company, wants to build the country’s largest green hydrogen plant in the next 12-14 months.
Earlier this year, Indian Oil (Indian Oil Corporation Limited) announced its plans to build India’s first green hydrogen plant at its Mathura refinery in the Indian State of Uttar Pradesh. The project will strengthen the clean energy offerings of the state-run oil and gas major that has already been pursuing hydrogen fuel cell, hydrogen-enriched compressed natural gas (H-CNG) and solar. Indian Oil plans to wheel wind power from its Rajasthan project to the Mathura refinery to produce green hydrogen from water electrolysis.
https://www.pv-magazine-india.com/2021/10/25/gail-to-build-4-5-tpd-green-hydrogen-plant/
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Special emphasis will be given on biomass projects to solve the problem of paddy straw-Dr. Raj Kumar Verka
Renewable Energy and Social Justice Minister Punjab, Dr. Rajkumar Verka has emphasized to set up biomass projects to tackle the problem of Paddy straw. In a statement issued
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Dr. Verka said that maximum utilization of renewable energy needed to meet the growing demand for electricity and the growing scarcity of natural resources like water, coal etc. He said that the Punjab government has taken many steps regarding the solar energy. He said that 1700.77 MW capacity renewable energy projects have been set up in the state till date and other projects with a capacity of 184.12 MW are being set up. So far 815.5 MW ground mounted solar power projects, 136.1 MW rooftop and 20 MW on canals top solar power projects had been set up.
Appealing to the people of the state to adopt solar energy, Dr. Verka suggested them to install solar power plants in their homes. He said that this will not only provide relief to the people from costly electricity but also save resources like coal.
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Flex fuel engine will be must for all vehicles in 6 months: Gadkari
Union minister Nitin Gadkari said the BJP-led NDA government would make flex fuel engines mandatory for all types of vehicles in six months. Speaking at the India Federation of Green Energy’s ‘India Green Energy Awards’ in Delhi,
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the city MP said as flex engines run on more than one fuel, the road transport and highways ministry under him would ask all automobile manufacturers to make and fit them into their vehicles.
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Intercity should run on LNG, CNG to reduce fossil fuel use: V K Singh
Intercity buses should run on LNG, CNG and biofuels as that will help in reducing the use of fossil fuels, Union minister V K Singh said.
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Addressing an event organised by industry body Assocham, he also emphasised that the government is promoting methanol and ethanol economy. To cut down use of fossil fuels, intercity buses should run on LNG, CNG and biofuels.
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First-of-a-kind biogas plant begins ops at Jawaharnagar dumpyard in Hyderabad
The Compressed Biogas Plant (CBG) established at Jawaharnagar dumping yard commenced its operations. It is the first project in the country where landfill gas is being purified and converted into automotive fuel. CBG, is produced by anaerobic decomposition of municipal waste.
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The plant is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ramky Enviro Engineers Limited (REEL). The byproduct will be supplied to Bhagyanagar Gas Limited (BGL) and then distributed through its retail outlets all over Hyderabad. The landfill gas generated within the capped landfill is extracted through strategically placed gas wells. These gas wells are connected through a piping network to a flaring station.
Landfill gas has the potential for conversion into automotive gas. This alternative fuel can replace diesel. Through the CBG, the total potential of waste to cause environmental degradation gets reduced substantially, while reducing the demand for land for waste disposal and carriage cost. This plant converts waste gas into compressed biogas (renewable natural gas). The byproduct will be supplied to Bhagyanagar Gas Ltd and then distributed through its retail outlets all over Hyderabad. Landfill gas has the potential for conversion into automotive gas and can replace diesel
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Delhi: Only e-buses will be added to city fleet in future: Kailash Gahlot
Delhi currently has a fleet of 6,793 buses, of which 3,760 are run by the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and 3,033 are operated by the Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS) Limited
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Delhi will only procure electric buses in the future, with an aim to increase the share of zero-emission vehicles in public transport to over 50%, transport minister Kailash Gahlot said.
Delhi currently has a fleet of 6,793 buses, of which 3,760 are run by the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and 3,033 are operated by the Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS) Limited through the state transport department. Although the number of buses currently operational in Delhi is at an all-time high, ever since the Commonwealth Games in 2010, the increase in population means that the city requires around 11,000 buses for public transport, according to various court orders and studies.
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JNCASR-Bengaluru scientists devise way to convert carbon dioxide to methane without toxicity
Bengaluru scientists have devised a toxic-free method that converts the most common greenhouse gas (GHG) carbon dioxide (CO2) to methane (CH4) – known to be the cleanest fossil fuel –
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a process that can effectively help in reducing levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide levels which is a major climate change concern. The converted CH4 can directly be used in fuel cells as a hydrogen carrier. It is also the main component of natural gas and has the potential to replace coal for electricity generation and provide energy supply to renewable generators.
The scientists from Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bengaluru, achieved this using non-metal catalysts, unlike procedures that are in use, which are found to release toxic gases in the process. In doing so, the scientists, led by Professor Tapas Kumar Maji from the Chemistry and Physics of Materials Unit of JNCASR, have designed a cost-effective metal-free catalyst to achieve the conversion by absorption of visible light.There are several ways in which CO2 can be reduced using photochemical, electrochemical, photoelectrochemical, photothermal methods. The photochemical uses solar light as a renewable energy source.
JNCASR scientists explained that some key requirements to convert CO2 by absorption of visible light into value-added products, like CH4, are light-harvesting property, the separation proficiency, and presence of proper electronically aligned conduction band. But these pose a challenge to reduce CO2 to CH4 selectively and efficiently. Only a handful of catalysts are able to reduce CH4 selectively and efficiently, but most of these catalysts contain metal which are toxic and expensive.
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Natural Gas/ Pipelines/ Company News
Coal supply will improve but it’s time India transitions to options like natural gas for power
As the monsoon recedes, the supply of coal is likely to improve. Better planning and improvement in supply will help improve logistics in future. There has been a resurgence in demand for power as India’s economy has picked up after the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Supply side disruptions on account of extended monsoon rains and rise in the international price of coal has aggravated the shortage. While demand was expected to rise as the economy opened up, the scale of demand surge was largely unanticipated. The government has announced measures to augment the supply of coal to power producers. As the monsoon recedes, the supply is likely to improve. There are signs of the situation getting better as coal dispatches to thermal power plants have picked up pace in the last few days.
Better planning and improvement in coal supply will help improve logistics in future. The scenario changed over the last two months. Electricity consumption in August jumped 18-20 per cent over pre-Covid period in August 2019 as the economy almost completely opened up after many months of subdued activity due to lockdowns. Almost 65 to 70 per cent of the increased demand for power is being met through coal-fired power generation. While power demand has seen a sharp surge, coal stocks suffered as mining activity was impacted due to the extended monsoon rains. Coal production sees a seasonal variation. After peaking in March, coal production dips in the monsoon months starting June-July and picks up pace as monsoon ends.
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Policy Matters/ Gas Pricing/Others
Explained: Connecting ministries for infrastructure projects
The newly launched PM GatiShakti — National Master Plan aims at multimodal connectivity and reducing costs. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the “PM GatiShakti — National Master Plan” for infrastructure development aimed at boosting multimodal connectivity and driving down logistics costs
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PM GatiShakti is a digital platform that connects 16 ministries — including Roads and Highways, Railways, Shipping, Petroleum and Gas, Power, Telecom, Shipping, and Aviation — with a view to ensuring holistic planning and execution of infrastructure projects. The portal will offer 200 layers of geospatial data, including on existing infrastructure such as roads, highways, railways, and toll plazas, as well as geographic information about forests, rivers and district boundaries to aid in planning and obtaining clearances. The portal will also allow various government departments to track, in real time and at one centralised place, the progress of various projects, especially those with multi-sectoral and multi-regional impact. The objective is to ensure that “each and every department now have visibility of each other’s activities providing critical data while planning and execution of projects in a comprehensive manner. Through this, different departments will be able to prioritise their projects through cross–sectoral interactions”.
The Prime Minister, while launching the project, said examples of poor infrastructure planning included newly-built roads being dug up by the water department to lay pipes. The GatiShakti platform aims to prevent such situations by addressing the issue of government departments working in silos. The government expects the platform to enable various government departments to synchronise their efforts into a multi-modal network. It will also offer satellite imagery for monitoring of projects. It is also expected to help state governments give commitments to investors regarding timeframes for the creation of infrastructure.
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Need to rethink India’s LNG strategies to affordable models
India may have to rethink its strategies going forward amidst spiralling LNG prices, according to a top Government official, speaking at an industry event. The spot LNG prices have increased 15-fold to over $30 per million metric
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British thermal unit (mmbtu) in the past one year and is likely to hurt imports and consequently consumption of CNG and LNG gases for automotive fuels. The price of gas was just under $2 mmbtu around the middle of last year. Even domestic prices which are based on regulated formulas have spiked to $2.9/mmbtu for H2FY2022 from $1.8/mmbtu in H1FY2022.
The ceiling for gas produced from difficult fields has increased to $6.13/mmbtu for H2FY2022. Rough estimates indicate that gas prices may jump further to about $40 mmbtu on account of annual increase in demand in Europe and US ahead of winter. The development seems significant from the automotive industry’s perspective as sale of CNG as a fuel is primarily derived from LNG. Industry statistics indicate the growth in demand for CNG cars reached an all-time high of 49 percent (YoY) to 1.71 lakh units during FY2021. Sensing the trend, top passenger vehicle makers, Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai have been pushing CNG-models in the past few years. While Maruti recorded nearly 45 percent growth to 1.57 lakh units during last fiscal, Hyundai saw more than 100 percent growth, albeit at a lower base registering over 23,000 unit’s sales.
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High energy prices hit industrial production, says World Bank
Industrial production has been impacted by high energy prices in India and this could weigh on economic growth of the country. Natural gas and coal prices are expected to remain at high levels through the start of 2022, finds the World Bank. Industrial production in
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China and India has been negatively impacted by electricity shortages amidst insufficient electricity availability. Higher energy prices could therefore also weigh on economic growth, which would in turn reduce demand for natural gas and coal.
In a report, the World Bank said natural gas and coal prices are expected to remain at high levels through the start of 2022 but then decline as supply constraints ease and production increases. How-ever, additional bouts of price volatility remain a distinct possibility. European natural gas prices and Australian coal prices are forecast to decline 14 per cent each in 2022 and then fall a further 27 per cent and 25 per cent, respectively, in 2023. In contrast, after doubling in 2021 natural gas prices in the United States are expected to see only a marginal decline, given continued high demand for US LNG exports. Asian delivered natural gas prices, which saw the smallest rise in 2021, are expected to see a relatively modest fall in 2022.
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LNG Development and Shipping
India presses Qatar for delayed LNG as power crisis mounts -sources
India, grappling with its worst power crisis in five years, has asked Qatar to expedite delivery of 58 delayed liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes, two sources familiar with the matter said. Asia’s third largest economy is suffering its worst power shortage since March 2016 due to a crippling coal shortage amid high global energy prices.
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Infrastructure maintenance at supplier Qatargas prevented it from delivering 50 LNG cargoes to India this year, the sources said, prompting India’s oil ministry last week to write a letter seeking delivery of those cargoes. The ministry is also seeking eight additional cargoes which were delayed last year at New Delhi’s request after COVID-induced lockdowns lowered demand for the super-cooled fuel.
India’s top gas importer, Petronet LNG, has long-term deals to buy 7.5 million tonnes per year (mtpa) of LNG from Qatar and 1.44 mtpa from Exxon’s Gorgon project in Australia. LNG under those long-term deals costs about $11-$12 per million British thermal units (mmBtu), versus more than $38 per mmBtu on Asia’s spot gas market currently and a record high of over $56 hit earlier this month. India has 24 gigawatts (GW) of gas-fired power generation capacity of which about 14 GW has been stranded for more than 10 years due to non-availability of gas, while the remaining plants are operating at very low capacity.
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India receives first direct LNG cargo from Russia’s Yamal LNG project
India received its first direct cargo of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia’s Yamal LNG project over the weekend, Refinitive Eikon LNG flows data showed. The cargo was supplied by Russian gas company Gazprom under its long-term LNG sales deal with GAIL (India) Ltd, an industry source said.
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The cargo on board the Marshal Vasilevsky sailed through the Northern Sea Route, Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean before arriving at GAIL’s Dabhol terminal over the weekend, the ship-tracking data showed. Appeal of gas supplies to India under long-term contracts has increased after a surge in spot LNG prices.
https://www.ndtv.com/business/india-receives-first-lng-cargo-from-yamal-lng-project-2588300
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INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Natural Gas / Transnational Pipelines/ Others
Vermilion gains certified label for some Canadian natural gas supply
Calgary-based Vermilion Energy Inc. has become the third Canadian producer to earn an international eco-label for its natural gas. The independent also announced an initial sale of certified gas sporting the ethical energy brand, created by New York City-based Equitable Origin, which is trademarked as EO100 Standard Certification.
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Many North American gas operators are working to certify their supplies as having low-carbon emissions. Designating natural gas as certified, “differentiated” or “responsibly sourced” may do little to reduce carbon intensity, but as U.S. and overseas customers question how their fuel is produced, the branding is growing in importance to ensure conformity and transparency. Other Canada gas producers also are working to differentiate their gas supplies by gaining a certification label. Calgary’s Seven Generations Energy Ltd., taken over by Arc Resources Ltd. in February, each has some gas supplies certified.
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Russia: Russia limits additional natural gas deliveries to Europe, sending prices higher — LNG recap
European natural gas prices jumped after Russia booked little additional pipeline capacity to move more supplies to the continent in Nov. Gazprom PJSC booked no additional capacity for November through Ukraine during an auction.
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The company took only about 35% of the available capacity via Belarus and Poland next month. The auction’s results came despite Russian President Vladimir Putin’s remarks last week that his country could help stabilize prices by sending more natural gas to Europe.
Additional Russian volumes could help ease a supply crunch on the continent, where storage inventories are at about 77% of capacity, their lowest for this time of year in over a decade. Both Dutch and British futures inched up once it became evident Russia would not move additional supplies during a volatile day of trading. European benchmarks gained finish, when they closed lower after another week of seesawing prices. In South Asia, India continued grappling with a power crisis. Reuters reported that the country has asked Qatar to speed the delivery of nearly 60 delayed LNG cargoes. Coal India Ltd., the world’s largest producer, also halted coal shipments to industrial users last week to prioritize power plants amid shortages and skyrocketing prices.
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EIA projects non-OECD Asia to become the largest importers of natural gas by 2050
International Energy Outlook 2021 (IEO2021) projects that non-OECD countries in Asia will collectively become the largest importers of natural gas by 2050. In 2020, the countries of OECD Europe were collectively the largest importers of natural gas, followed by Japan and South Korea combined,
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and then non-OECD Asia, which includes China and India. In IEO2021 Reference case, the United States, Russia, and the Middle East continue to expand natural gas production through 2050, and the United States remains the largest natural gas producer worldwide, producing almost 43 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) in 2050 compared with 34 Tcf in 2020. The United States, Russia, and the Middle East all have large proven reserves of both natural gas and oil as well as the processing and transportation infrastructure to support production increases. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals and transportation vessels create an outlet for natural gas produced in the United States and the Middle East to reach markets in Asia and Europe.
Russia, in particular, will show the largest growth in net exports, more than doubling over the projection period to remain the largest net exporter of natural gas by 2050, at more than 14 Tcf. Close proximity to Europe and Asia will facilitate growth in Russia’s net natural gas exports through established pipeline infrastructure, potential future pipeline additions, and liquefied natural gas exports. During the next 10 years, the United States will see its most rapid period of growth; net exports of U.S. natural gas nearly double as the United States expands its LNG infrastructure and produces natural gas at high volumes.
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Philippines: Philippines torn between LNG and renewable energy
The Philippines must turn to renewable sources to solve its energy crisis, environmental experts urge, as the country comes under pressure from big corporations to buy into liquefied natural gas (LNG). With its sole source of natural gas at Malampaya expected to have
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depleted entirely by the end of this decade, the island nation faces a choice of either importing LNG or steering away from fossil fuels to meet the energy needs of its growing population with renewables. LNG is made by cooling natural gas into a liquid, which reduces its volume by about 600 times, making it easier to ship, handle and store. Consisting mostly of methane, LNG is cleaner than other fossil fuels such as coal or petroleum and is used for heating, cooking, generating electricity and manufacturing various products. It is also used as a fuel for vehicles.
According to the US International Trade Administration, the current energy mix of the Philippines is composed of coal (47 percent), natural gas (22 percent), renewables (24 percent), including hydro, geothermal, wind, and solar, and oil-based energy (6.2 percent), adding up to a capacity of 23 gigawatts. By 2040 the Philippines will need 43 gigawatts of additional capacity. According to the white paper, in 2019, coal-fired power was responsible for an estimated 630 air pollution-related deaths, 1,300 new childhood asthma cases, 240 pre-term births and 149,000 days of sick leave in the Philippines. Using LNG decreases emissions of carbon and particulate matter as compared to coal-fired power generation, leading to public health benefits, the paper says. According to Pep Canadell, executive director of the Global Carbon Project, construction of new long-term infrastructure that will use any type of fossil fuel is inconsistent with the Paris Agreement, an international treaty that seeks to address climate change by limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, as compared with pre-industrial levels.
https://techxplore.com/news/2021-10-philippines-torn-lng-renewable-energy.html
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UK: UK’s net-zero strategy not calling to phase out natural gas
The UK government has unveiled an ambitious strategy to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 that would significantly curb reliance on oil and natural gas without phasing them out completely.
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The “Build Back Greener” roadmap would decarbonize the power system so that by 2035 all of the UK’s electricity would come from low carbon sources, “subject to security of supply.” The policies would accelerate renewable energy development, deliver 40 GW of offshore wind and establish 5 GW of low carbon hydrogen production capacity by 2030.
Natural gas prices have spiked to record levels across the world this year. The rally has been caused by a variety of factors including a supply shortage, weather, shipping bottlenecks, and inadequate storage inventories, among other things. Europe has been particularly hard hit, where aggressive climate and energy policies have been partly blamed for the run up in prices. As more fossil fuel-burning and nuclear power plants have been retired in favor of renewable facilities, the ability to utilize a wider variety of fuels on the continent has been limited amid the supply crunch.
https://www.naturalgasintel.com/uks-net-zero-strategy-not-calling-to-phase-out-natural-gas/
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China: China bets on natural gas for clean transport
The Chinese government said October 27 that the use of natural gas in the transportation sector was one of its focal points in the energy transition. The government issued a white paper titled Responding to Climate Change: China’s Policies and Actions, outlining measures it would take to green its economy.
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For emissions from the hard-to-abate transportation sector, Beijing said it would support a broader mix of resources and provide improved standards for green transportation. Its white paper calls on the “expanded electrification of railways and promotes the use of natural gas vehicles and vessels, with improved electric charging and hydrogen fueling infrastructure to facilitate the use of new energy vehicles (NEVs) and encourage anchored ships and parked civil aircraft to use shore power.”
China enjoys vast coal deposits of its own and accounts for about half of the world’s coal consumption. President Xi Jinping has made at least some overtures at ending its use, pledging to stop building new coal-fired power projects overseas. Emphasizing the need to diversify its own energy mix, the government said it was “promoting the substitution of coal and petroleum by electricity as end-use energy.”
https://www.naturalgasworld.com/china-bets-on-natural-gas-for-clean-transport-93318
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Global LNG Development
Spain: Spain boosts gas import capacity in hunt for winter supplies
Spain is stepping up capacity for natural gas imports as a global shortage triggers a rush to secure supplies, while long-standing flows from Algeria remain uncertain. Network operator Enagas SA has allocated 23 additional slots to import liquefied
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natural gas in the nation’s six terminals for the next 12 months, adding to the 22 secured in September. Competition for LNG has intensified as Asia is willing to pay a premium to prepare for a cold winter, leaving less tanker-borne gas available for Europe.
Spain will have to fight for cargoes, and potentially pay a hefty price for it. China, for example, is urging state companies to purchase LNG at any cost to ensure winter supplies. Spot prices of the super-chilled fuel in Asia have spiraled to record high, having increased about six-fold over the past year. With the additional slots, there are now 136 allocated for LNG purchases for the November-March period, Enagas said. That compares with the 86 ships unloaded in Spain last winter, according to the company. The country, which is heavily dependent on imports, is at risk of losing access to a pipeline that meets about a quarter of its gas demand. A 25-year deal that brings the fuel from Algeria via Morocco through the Maghreb pipeline expires at the end of this month, with a renewal remaining uncertain after the two countries cut diplomatic ties. In case the deal is not renewed, Algeria could still honor its export commitments through the expanded direct Medgaz pipeline and potentially with some LNG cargoes during peak winter demand, the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies said in a note last month.
https://www.bloombergquint.com/business/spain-boosts-gas-import-capacity-in-hunt-for-winter-supplies
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Qatar: Qatar gas company starts work on $29bn project to boost LNG production
Qatar Gas Company announced it has started with its $29 billion project to build four new natural gas production lines in the industrial city of Ras Laffan, Asharq reported. The state-owned firm plans to increase liquified natural gas (LNG) production capacity to 110 million tons per year from 77 million tons.
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Production is expected to start by the end of 2025, and total daily output is expected to hit around 1.4 million barrels of oil equivalent per day.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1950036/business-economy
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Abu Dhabi: Adnoc kicks off chase for giant LNG export terminal
Adnoc LNG, a subsidiary of state-owned giant Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, has kicked off the chase for carrying out key engineering work on a giant liquefied natural gas export terminal in the United Arab Emirates. Several sources familiar with the development told Upstream t
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hat Adnoc LNG plans to construct a 9.6 million tonnes per annum export facility at Fujairah, able to cater to the markets of India, Pakistan, China, Japan and other Asian countries.
The company recently sought expressions of interest from several international engineering contractors for conceptual studies and for front-end engineering and design work on the surface facilities required at the huge LNG terminal. One source said the project could be worth billions of dollars and would involve two giant LNG processing trains, storage tanks, a jetty and other associated facilities.
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Nakilat, Karpowership join forces in LNG-to-power market
Qatar-based shipping company Nakilat is to collaborate with floating power plant specialist Karpowership on a deal which will see the partners jointly owning and operating floating storage regasification units (FSRUs). An FSRU allows for the at-sea transporting, storing, and regasifying of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
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The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed on 24th October 2021, will allow both companies to push ahead with the joint venture. The sentiment was echoed by Orhan Remzi Karadeniz, CEO, Karpowership, who said that the deal will enhance the company’s ability to offer a ‘one stop shop’ tailor-made solution to its customers.
https://www.gasworld.com/nakilat-karpowership-join-forces-in-lng-to-power-market/2022042.article
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Brazil: Pernambuco state to launch new tender for LNG terminal deployment
Brazil’s Pernambuco state plans to launch a new tender for the leasing of a pier at the Suape port for the installation of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) regasification unit.
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The original process was cancelled last week because the Suape port administration did not consult federal authorities, such as the infrastructure ministry (Minfra) and oil and gas regulator ANP, prior to the publication of the tender notice, a source familiar with the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told BNamericas. The date for the launch of the new tender has not been announced yet. The minimum bid of the cancelled tender had been set at 700,530 reais (US$125,637).
https://www.bnamericas.com/en/news/pernambuco-state-to-launch-new-tender-for-lng-terminal-deployment
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Natural Gas / LNG Utilization
Mexico: State of Nuevo León updates bus fleet with new NGVs and EVs
In order for Nuevo León to have a better public transport system and, in turn, improve mobility in the metropolitan area, Governor Samuel Alejandro García Sepúlveda announced the acquisition of 510 low and zero-emission buses that will provide higher quality and more environmentally friendly service.
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The governor indicated that they will introduce 400 natural gas vehicles, of which they expect to receive the first 100 during the first three months of the administration. The remaining units will be electric buses. With this tender, he seeks to considerably reduce the CO2 indices that daily affect air quality and the health of citizens.
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Singapore: Singapore LNG scouts for spot cargoes as electricity futures surge
Singapore LNG Corp is making enquiries about buying LNG cargoes from the spot market, a rare move for the operator of the city-state’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal, industry sources said.
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The enquiries come on the back of surging prices globally of power generation fuels such as LNG and coal, amid power shortages from China and India to Europe.
SLNG contributes to Singapore’s energy security and its terminal supplies up to 30% of the city state’s natural gas demand for power generation, its website says. SLNG is looking for LNG in the spot market privately, four sources said with one of them adding that it is seeking up to two cargoes for delivery into Singapore in November. The company is exploring options to increase inventory of LNG at its terminal given tight global LNG supply, a SLNG spokesperson told Reuters in an e-mailed statement. It is unusual for Singapore to seek spot LNG cargoes as the country is typically adequately supplied with LNG through long-term deals and gas imports from Indonesia via a pipeline. One of the sources said the request from SLNG came after Singapore’s electricity prices jumped. Singapore’s long-term piped gas contracts with Indonesia start expiring from 2023, when the country has plans to import more LNG from the global market.
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Argentina: ID Logistics adds 5 Iveco CNG trucks after successful trial
After trialing and verifying the qualities of an IVECO Stralis Hi-Road CNG truck, ID Logistics decided to acquire five vehicles powered by this alternative fuel. Under a test drive program, the Argentina carrier made a closed route with a 15.5m-long semi-trailer loaded with 30 pallets,
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with a load weight of between 18,000 and 20,000 kg. ID Logistics traveled a total of 700 kilometers and carried out logistics transports of 22 kilometers between its base and the Unilever logistics center in Fátima, province of Buenos Aires.
The Stralis Hi-Road CNG trucks that IVECO delivered to the company are part of the “Natural Power” portfolio and have a 440S33T 4×2 tractor configuration. They are powered by Cursor 8 engines from FPT Industrial with 330 HP and 1,300 Nm of torque powered by natural gas, with a capacity of up to 720 liters.
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US: Cummins unveils new 15-liter natural gas engine for heavy trucks
Cummins Inc. announced that it will bring to market a 15-liter natural gas engine for heavy-duty trucks. The new engine is an important part of Cummins strategy for its path to zero emissions to go further, faster to reduce the greenhouse gas
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and air quality impacts of its products in a way that is best for its customers and all stakeholders. The expanding product lineup will help achieve Cummins’ PLANET 2050 environmental goals which include lowering emissions from newly sold products by 30% by 2030 and a goal of carbon neutrality by 2050, aligned with the Paris Climate Accord targets.
The 15-liter natural gas engine can be paired with a Cummins Eaton Automated Transmission Technologies Endurant HD Transmission and Cummins Fuel Delivery System, ensuring a purpose-built and fully integrated natural gas powertrain. Other transmission pairings will be available at launch for specialized applications. The engine will offer ratings up to 500hp and 1,850 ft-lbs of torque and is expected to weigh 500 lbs less than comparable 15-liter diesel engines currently available on the market while not requiring Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) to meet 2024 California or Environmental Protection Agency emission standards.
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Karachi, Pakistan: 10-day CNG closure in Sindh announced
The Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) announced that CNG stations across Sindh would remain closed for 10 days starting from 16th Oct, 2021 in order to maintain gas supply to domestic customers.
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The news of sudden and prolonged closure triggered panic buy among the owners of vehicles being run on gas. Citing reasons behind this apparently unusual step that would likely to cause people’s rush on petrol pumps, the SSGC statement pointed out that the phenomenon of reduced gas supplies was primarily because of supply issues from gas fields owned by exploration and production companies.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1652245/10-day-cng-closure-in-sindh-announced
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UK: Scania launches new three-axle LNG tractor unit for the UK market
Scania has further extended its portfolio of dedicated natural gas trucks with the introduction of a 6×2/2 LNG tractor unit. Equipped with a lightweight Hendrickson center lift-axle, the vehicle is available to order immediately in the UK.
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The inclusion of this model means Scania’s NGV range now covers both LNG and CNG solutions in both two and three axle variants. Rigids can be configured to operate on either LNG or CNG in two-, three- and four-axle configurations, with tractor unit options being two-axles for CNG and two- or three-axles for LNG variants. Every model in the Scania line-up is capable of operating on 100% biomethane, which offers CO2 reductions of up to 90%.
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China: China looks to lock in U.S. LNG as energy crunch raises concerns
Major Chinese energy companies are in advanced talks with U.S. exporters to secure long-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies, as soaring gas prices and domestic power shortages heighten concerns about the country’s fuel security, several sources said.
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At least five Chinese firms, including state major Sinopec Corp 0386.HK and China National Offshore Oil Company (CNOOC) and local government-backed energy distributors like Zhejiang Energy, are in discussions with U.S. exporters, mainly Cheniere Energy LNG.A and Venture Global, the sources told Reuters.
The discussions could lead to deals worth tens of billions of dollars that would mark a surge in China’s LNG imports from the United States. At the height of Sino-U.S. trade war in 2019, gas trade briefly came to a standstill. Talks with U.S. suppliers began early this year but speeded up in recent months amid one of the biggest power-generating, heating fuel crunch in decades. Natural gas prices in Asia have jumped more than fivefold this year, sparking fears of power shortages in the winter.
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Japan: Tohoku Electric buys six LNG cargoes from BP in short-term deal
Japan’s Tohoku Electric Power has signed a contract with BP for six cargoes of liquefied natural gas (LNG), two trading sources told Reuters, avoiding paying record high prices on the spot market for short-term supplies. The cargoes will be delivered in the first half of next year and are priced at 20% of Brent crude,
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the sources said, translating to about $17 per million British thermal units (mmBtu) at current prices. That is less than half the prevailing spot price in Asia of $38.50/mmBtu, a record high as an energy crisis engulfs much of the Northern Hemisphere, driving a rally in oil and pushing coal prices to historic highs.
This winter the regional crunch looks set to be played out on a global scale as Europe struggles for gas supplies, benchmark prices in the United States are around seven-year highs and economic growth in China is squeezed by power shortages. By clicking subscribe, I agree for my personal data to be used to send me TODAY newsletters, promotional offers and for research and analysis. Tohoku’s deal also underlines the absence of Japanese buyers in the spot market as they rely on long-term contract supplies of LNG, where the average price was just over $10 mmBtu in August, according to official trade figures. LNG inventories in Japan are also seasonally above average, but with electricity prices rising in recent weeks, Tokyo-based executives and traders say they are concerned about another winter of high prices and the threat of blackouts.
https://www.todayonline.com/world/tohoku-electric-buys-six-lng-cargoes-bp-short-term-deal
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Pakistan: Pakistan secures LNG cargoes from Qatar
Pakistan has secured cargoes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Qatar to meet energy demands for consumers. Last week, Pakistan did not receive a single quotation in a bidding process for spot purchase seeking eight LNG cargoes for delivery over December to January period, raising concerns about a potential energy crisis amid peak demand.
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Significant growth of RLNG usage in the energy mix has helped in improving supply to various power plants. RLNG is also supplied to fertilizer plants, industrial and transport sectors. It is learnt that the government is trying to explore all options to meet the peak winter demand for natural gas. In the global market, the spot LNG prices are already trading at record levels amid high demand from almost all major importing nations in Europe and Asian countries like Japan, South Korea, China and India. Subsequently, there has been a five-fold increase in the price of spot LNG cargo since early 2021 as the gap between demand and supply widens.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/22-Oct-2021/pakistan-secures-lng-cargoes-from-qatar
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Spain: Spain presses Algeria to guarantee natural gas supply
For the second time in a month, a Spanish minister met with Algerian officials to guarantee the European country’s supply of natural gas after Algeria closes a pipeline that runs through Morocco this weekend. While a leader in wind and solar power,
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Spain still relies heavily on energy imports and Algeria provides over a third of its natural gas. Spanish officials worry that a shortage in supplies will fuel already skyrocketing energy prices that have made electricity bills a major problem for its left-wing coalition government. The trip by Spain’s deputy prime minister for ecological transition, Teresa Ribera, to Algiers came only a month after the country’s foreign minister travelled to the Algerian capital to discuss the gas supply that Spain fears could be a collateral victim of Algeria’s diplomatic spat with Morocco.
Algeria has said it won’t renew an agreement, set to expire on Sunday, that has kept its natural gas flowing through Morocco and on to Spain for the past 25 years. The development follows a deterioration of Algerian relations with Morocco centered around the disputed region of Western Sahara, highlighted by the recall of the Algerian ambassador. The pipeline that travels across northwest Africa before crossing the Mediterranean Sea at Zahara de los Atunes on the other side of the Strait of Gibraltar supplied Spain with just over 10% of all its natural gas in 2020, according to CORES, Spain’s public corporation that watches over its strategic energy reserves.
The pipeline also supplied Morocco with enough gas to produce 10% of its total electricity on top of the annual $60 million it received for crossing its territory.
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LNG as a Marine Fuel/Shipping
Argentina: Argentina encourages development of locally built LNG-powered vessels
The Ministry of Productive Development, together with the Bank of the Argentine Nation (BNA), launched a new line of financing for the acquisition or construction of new vessels and naval machinery manufactured in shipyards located in the national territory,
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for which it will allocate an investment of $ 10 billion, reported Télam news agency.
The measure is carried out thanks to the contribution of the BNA and the Ministry, through the National Fund for Productive Development (Fondep), which accompanies the financing by subsidizing the rate provided by the financial entity. In addition, this bonus will be higher in the event that the ships to be built are powered by LNG, in order to stimulate the creation of a fleet powered by alternative energies.
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Canada: Seaspan Ferries to run its vessels on renewable natural gas
Seaspan Ferries Corporation became the first Canadian marine company to pilot the use of renewable natural gas (RNG) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions produced by its roll-on, roll-off liquefied natural gas (LNG) powered marine fleet.
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Seaspan expects that data from the pilot will confirm that, by using RNG, greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced by upwards of 85% versus traditional diesel fuel. Seaspan has worked closely with FortisBC Energy Inc. (FortisBC) to secure a source of certified carbon neutral RNG.
FortisBC’s RNG program reopened to new subscribers on October 15 this year as the company has been successful in dramatically increasing supply over the last year. By the end of 2021, FortisBC expects it will have tripled its RNG supply from 2020 and is poised to potentially triple it again by the end of 2022 if expected projects proceed on pace. Increasing the use of renewable gases, like RNG, is an important part of meeting the targets of the Province’s CleanBC plan and is a cornerstone of FortisBC’s 30BY30 target to reduce its customers’ greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent by 2030. FortisBC believes applying carbon-neutral energy to proven technology like LNG powered marine engines provides a viable way for forward thinking marine shipping companies like Seaspan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It also strengthens B.C.’s potential credentials as a desirable LNG marine fueling hub.
https://www.marinelink.com/news/seaspan-ferries-run-vessels-renewable-491472
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US: AET completes its first LNG bunkering in the U.S.
AET (American Eagle Tanker)completed its first ever LNG bunkering in the U.S. last week, working in coordination with Shell to refuel the LNG dual-fuel Aframax tanker Pacific Ruby outside Port Canaveral, Fla.
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The transfer of 600 metric tons of marine LNG onto the 113,305-DWT petroleum tanker from the Q-LNG 4000 bunker barge was safely completed within three hours while the entire bunkering operation took nine hours. The operation was coordinated by AET and Shell NA LNG LLC while the Pacific Ruby was on its way from Houston bound for Rotterdam.
LNG emits approximately 25% less CO2 than conventional marine fuels in providing the same amount of propulsion power. AET’s current fleet of 70 vessels includes two dual-fuel dynamic positioning shuttle tankers, which are amongst the first ever built in the world, and three dual-fuel Aframaxes. AET is currently building five dual-fuel VLCCs to be delivered beginning in 2022 and the overall order book is made up of 11 vessels.
https://www.workboat.com/coastal-inland-waterways/aet-completes-first-lng-bunkering-in-the-u-s
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South Korea: GTT is selected by Hyundai heavy industries to equip the tanks of two new LNG-fueled container vessels with its membrane containment technology and smart shipping solutions
GTT has been chosen by its partner the Korean shipyard Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) to design the cryogenic fuel tanks of two liquefied natural gas (LNG) fueled container vessels.
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The two new vessels, each with a capacity of 15,600 containers, will be equipped with LNG tanks, each holding up to 12,800 m3 of LNG used as fuel. The tanks will be fitted with the Mark III Flex membrane containment technology, developed by GTT. Vessels deliveries are scheduled to occur between the fourth quarter of 2023 and the first quarter of 2024.
In addition to the engineering services and on-site technical assistance, GTT will assist the operator through every step of the first LNG-fueled project: commissioning of the LNG tank, first LNG bunkering operations, as well as further specific LNG operations and maintenance of the vessels. Moreover, GTT will provide training for the crews, supported by its proprietary G-Sim® training simulator, which replicates the future LNG operations of the vessels. GTT will also offer its HEARS® emergency response service with 24/7 technical assistance.
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Denmark: Celsius orders four LNG carriers from Samsung Heavy Industries
Danish shipping company Celsius Tankers announced it has ordered a series of four liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers from South Korean shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries.
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Upon delivery during 2023 and 2024, the 180,000-cuboc-meter capacity new builds will enter into long-term time charters with Clearlake Shipping, a subsidiary of Gunvor Group Ltd. Celsius Tankers recently took delivery of the fourth and last LNG carrier from the previous series of 180,000-cubic-meter capacity XDF vessels ordered at Samsung Heavy Industries in 2018. The new order for four vessels will be sister vessels to the first four vessels but offers additional improvements including lower emissions and reduced fuel consumption, Celsius Tankers said, noting the new vessels will be fitted with ME-GA propulsion.
According to Celsius Tankers, the newbuilds’ highly efficient design minimizes CO2 emissions and methane slip from operations via installation of air lubrication, optimization of hull shape and use of the best available paint system to reduce the vessels’ friction in water. The vessels will be built to Lloyds’ Register class notation “EEDI-3” meeting IMO requirements for ships built after 2025 for 30% more energy efficiency.
https://www.marinelink.com/news/celsius-orders-four-lng-carriers-samsung-491381
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Portugal: Baleària begins LNG conversion process of the Hedy Lamarr ferry
Baleària has started the LNG conversion of the Hedy Lamarr ferry at the West Sea shipyard in Viana do Castelo (Portugal). This is the last of the six conversion operations planned,
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and that have been carried out since 2018. With this In March, the shipping company will have completed its fleet plan of nine vessels running on LNG (the six converted and another three newly built) in which it invested 380 million euros. It should be remembered that part of the investment involved in the conversions comes from the CEF funds of the European Union.
During the five months that the Hedy Lamarr engine conversion operation will last, its current machines (MAN 9L48/60B class) will be adapted and converted to dual fuel engines of the MAN 9L51/60DF class, with capacity to run on LNG and diesel. In addition, two gas storage tanks with a total capacity of 565 m3 will be installed on the vessel, which will give it a gas navigation autonomy of more than 1,400 nautical miles. This will be the most complex part of the retrofit, since it involves a cut in the upper deck of the ship, the introduction of both tanks and the subsequent sealing.
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LNG carrier rates top $260,000 per day as arbitrage profits exceed $100m
The natural gas and energy crunch sweeping Asia and Europe has propelled spot rates for liquefied natural gas carriers above $260,000 per day on key routes as traders sought vessels to profit from cargo arbitrages worth over $100m.
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The Baltic Exchange currently assesses time charter equivalent rates to ship 180,000 cu m of LNG to Tokyo from Gladstone, Australia at $262,215 per day, with LNG-fuelled ships at $201,535.That is up 7% and 11% , respectively, from the last assessment on October 14, data show.
Pacific LNG rates are trading at a record $64,250 per day premium over Atlantic rates, according to Spark Commodities, a Singapore-based LNG freight assessor. Spark assessed Pacific-based rates at $202,500 daily, a $64,250 premium over Atlantic rates at $138,250 per day
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Zero carbon cargo: Amazon, Unilever, and Ikea back new zero emission shipping initiative
Nine global corporates back new ambition statement that sees them commit to transitioning their freight vessels to zero carbon fuels by 2040. Nine leading multinationals have become the first companies to sign a new 2040 Ambition Statement and
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commit to transitioning their ocean freight vessels to zero carbon fuels by 2040, the Cargo Owners for Zero Emission Vessels (coZEV) announced.
CoZEV is a coalition of cargo owners, initiated by the not-for-profit Aspen Institute Energy and Environment Program, that brings together cargo owners and shipping operators to work to accelerate the decarbonisation of the shipping industry and deliver on corporates’ net zero emission supply chain commitments.
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Japan: Japan plans LNG research to reduce methane slip
While LNG is being increasingly adopted by the shipping industry as a near-term path to lowering CO2 emissions, it is also drawing criticism from environmentalists and other organizations due to the release of methane into the atmosphere.
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A collation of Japanese companies is receiving support from Japan’s government for a new project to develop and demonstrate new technologies to reduce the harmful environmental impact from LNG-fueled vessels.
Shipping companies adopting LNG-fueled propulsion are quick to highlight the benefits of reduced SOx and NOx emissions, LNG fuel has the effect of reducing CO2emissions. Engines using LNG can be prone to the problem known as methane slip, where unburned fuel is expelled in the exhaust. The challenges of addressing methane slip have contributed to the criticism of LNG. The World Bank in April 2021 released a report dismissing the long-term role of LNG based on the problems of methane slip. The financial institution recommended instead investing in ammonia and hydrogen-based fuels which it identified as the best solutions to address the need to reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions. The industry trade group SEA-LNG responded saying that the World Bank was using outdated information on methane slip and cautioned against waiting for future fuels that are yet to be proven. They contended that the engine manufacturers were making progress to reduce the release of methane.
https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/japan-plans-lng-research-to-reduce-methane-slip
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Technological Development for Cleaner and Greener Environment Hydrogen & Bio-Methane
Netherlands: First Dutch bioLNG plant opens, fuel will be available at Shell stations
With the press of a button, Dutch king Willem-Alexander officially put into service the first bio-LNG plant of the Netherlands. With this scoop, initiators Nordsol, Renewi and Shell have taken the next step in making road freight transport more sustainable.
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It is expected that the new plant will produce an estimated 3.4 kilotons of bio-LNG per year, preventing the emission of more than 14.31 kilotons of fossil CO2. This is sufficient for 13 million on-road kilometers. Nordsol’s bio-LNG plant is built on the site of Renewi in Amsterdam Westpoort. This facility is in part subsidized by the EU (20%), as part of its strategy to decarbonize the road transport. The three initiators each have their own part in the production of biofuel. Renewi collects organic waste throughout the Netherlands, such as expired products from supermarkets. The recycler then processes the waste and converts it into biogas in its own fermenters. Nordsol’s new plant reprocesses the biogas into bio-LNG. Shell makes this bio-LNG available for its customers at LNG service stations in the Netherlands. In addition, during the production of bio-LNG, CO2 is removed from the biogas and liquefied for reuse in greenhouses.
The Netherlands has approximately 260 ‘traditional’ biogas plants. Most of these can be made suitable for the production of bio-LNG. With the technology used by the biogas plant of Renewi in Amsterdam, bio-LNG can also be produced in many other places in the country. The partners expect that thanks to the construction of new plants, the available quantity of bio-LNG will, over the next four years, increase at least tenfold.
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Norway: Study explores hydrogen value chain in maritime applications
Hexagon Purus joins the work package Zero Emission Compressed Hydrogen (ZECH) which is part of the ZeroCoaster project study coordinated by Vard, a major global ship design and shipbuilding company.
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This study aims to research, evaluate and present zero emission ship design solutions using alternative fuel systems. The ZeroCoaster represents coastal bulk cargo operations in Norway. Systems and component solutions revealed in the project are applicable for scaling and reconfiguring for other maritime applications.
The project study is funded by The Research Council of Norway. One of the main objectives is to evaluate and challenge bunkering technologies and logistics operations, with a focus on safety, cost, and capacity. Hexagon Purus will contribute with its knowledge and expertise in storage and distribution of compressed hydrogen gas using Type 4 composite cylinder technology. Norway has set a target to reduce emissions with 50% by 2030, and there is a growing national demand for zero emission vessels along the Norwegian coast. If the target for cutting emissions by 2030 is to be implemented, 700 low-emission and approximately 400 zero-emission ships will be required, of these; 450 bulk and cargo ships.
The project, scheduled for completion by end of 2021, will be conducted using an already developed concept design platform of the ZeroCoaster cargo ship prepared by Vard. By using simulation-driven-ship-design, the project will develop economic and technical key performance indicators for the use of alternative fuels on ships.
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Ireland: Northern Irish gas distribution firm, Firmus Energy switches to biomethane-fuelled fleet
Antrim-based natural gas distribution and supply company Firmus energy has teamed up with anaerobic digestion specialists Granville Eco Park to decarbonize its engineering and maintenance fleet. Firmus energy will initially use a jointly branded van,
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currently being fueled by Granville Eco Park’s biomethane produced at their anaerobic digestion plant in Dungannon to showcase the sustainability credentials of CNG technology, before transitioning the rest of the fleet to natural gas.
The first van to be used by Firmus energy can travel over 200 miles with a single fill and has a small petrol tank as a reserve. The environmental benefits are significant, biomethane produces up to 85% less greenhouse gases and natural gas up to 30% less CO2 emissions when compared to a standard diesel alternative.
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Italy: Toyota, CaetanoBus, Snam join forces to boost hydrogen mobility
Snam (and its subsidiary Snam4Mobility), Toyota (Toyota Motor Europe and Toyota Motor Italia) and CaetanoBus have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), with the aim of starting a wide-ranging collaboration to promote and accelerate the introduction of hydrogen-powered mobility.
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United by the belief that hydrogen plays a fundamental role in the decarbonization process of transportation, the companies will join forces and know-how to explore and develop projects aimed at enabling the adoption of hydrogen both for heavy and light transport.
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Italy: First (bio) CNG tractor with Fuel Maker refueling system launched
On the occasion of EIMA International 2021, the most important Italian exhibition dedicated to agricultural mechanization taking place in Bologna this week, New Holland and Snam4Mobility – with
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the contribution of its subsidiary Cubogas – will present the world’s first tractor 100% powered by natural gas and biomethane, including a refueling system available directly at farm sites.
The T6.180 Methane Power offers performance similar to that of the diesel model, but with even lower CO2 emissions thanks to biomethane, produced from organic waste and agricultural and agro-industrial waste.
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US: Royal Caribbean to debut fuel cell battery-hybrid cruise ship
Next summer, Royal Caribbean Group is set to debut what it claims will be the cruise industry’s first hybrid powered ship, (though Norway’s Hurtigruten might quibble with that) as part its ultra-luxury brand Silversea Cruises.
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The new class of ships, known as “Project Evolution,” will operate using a trio of power sources including a fuel cell system, battery technology and dual-fuel engines using liquefied natural gas (LNG) as the main fuel. This hybrid solution, using fuel cell technology, allows the ship to be free of local emissions while at port.
The new hybrid technology will allow Project Evolution to achieve a 40% overall reduction in its greenhouse gas emissions per double occupancy when compared to the brand’s previous class of ships. The ship class is also projected to achieve an Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) rating approximately 25% better than applicable International Maritime Organization (IMO) requirements. LNG (Liquified Natural Gas) – a cleaner burning fuel, LNG-fueled propulsion systems emit less CO2 and 97% fewer particulates than normal fuel oil used on ships. Battery – a bank of batteries supports optimizing the overall ship power system, saving fuel. Waste to Energy – newly developed Micro Auto Gasification System (MAGS) reduces onboard waste volume, resulting in lower incineration emissions.
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Finland: Leading medicine supplier transports goods with biogas trucks
Since Tamro’s customers can be found across Finland from large cities and built-up areas to the smallest localities, many transport kilometers are clocked up each week. That is why,
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from the climate impact perspective, logistics are a major factor for the country’s leading medicines and health products distributor and service provider, and is partnering with Post Nord to transport its products with vehicles powered by Gasum’s biomethane.
Biomethane is currently used by four trucks suitable for this type of transport. These vehicles have been fitted with special thermal control technology, which keeps the transport temperature steady regardless of the outside temperature. Tamro’s transport routes vary greatly and include heavy-duty long-distance routes, short urban routes operated using a lighter fleet and everything in between.
Demand for sustainable supply chains is growing in Finland and the other Nordic countries. More and more companies are now investing in more environmentally-friendly natural gas vehicles. This can be seen most concretely in the operations of leading companies like Tamro and PostNord.
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Saudi Arabia: Saudi to use $110 billion natural gas project for blue hydrogen
Saudi Arabia said a key focus of one of the world’s biggest natural-gas projects would be on manufacturing blue hydrogen, as the kingdom steps up efforts to export a fuel seen as crucial to the green-energy transition.
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A large portion of gas from the $110 billion Jafurah development will be used for blue hydrogen, according to Energy Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman. The fuel is made by converting natural gas and capturing the carbon dioxide emissions.
The comments underscore how the kingdom is moving away from previous plans to become an exporter of liquefied natural gas, a fuel that’s cleaner than oil and coal but which some governments have said they want to phase out. A market for hydrogen barely exists, but could be worth $700 billion annually by 2050 if producers can bring down costs, according to BloombergNEF. Saudi state energy company Aramco is considering opening up the Jafurah field in the east of the country to foreign investors, Bloomberg reported last month. Aramco is working with an adviser as it mulls raising equity or debt for the vast site, according to people familiar with the matter. Jafurah is estimated to hold 200 trillion cubic feet of gas, and Aramco expects to begin production in 2024.
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