Business & Markets

Hungary to Receive LNG from Qatar Starting in 2027

Hungary can begin to receive shipments of LNG gas from Qatar in 2027, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto told a news conference on Friday.

Russia's Arctic-2 LNG Set to Start Production During 2023, CNOOC Says

Russia's Arctic-2 LNG project, in which China's CNOOC Ltd. holds a 10% stake, is proceeding as planned with first phase to start operation during this year, senior company executives said on Friday.

API and LEPA Release Comprehensive CO2 Pipeline Safety Guide

(P&GJ) — The guide, developed with input from the National Association of State Fire Marshals, helps operators advance a zero-incident safety culture by outlining best practices for CO2 pipeline safety and emergency preparedness.

Deep Sky, Svante Partner to Study Carbon Storage Feasibility in Southern Quebec, Canada

(P&GJ) — Canadian carbon removal developer, Deep Sky, has joined forces with carbon capture and removal solutions provider Svante Technologies Inc. to evaluate the feasibility of sequestering CO2 in Southern Quebec.

Former Trump Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette Named New President of Utility Lobby Group

Edison Electric Institute has named Dan Brouillette as president starting on Jan. 1, 2024. Brouillette, who currently serves as president of Sempra Infrastructure, said he looks forward to leading the lobby group at a "pivotal point" for the industry.

FTC Approves EQT's Deal to Buy THQ Appalachia

EQT Corp., the biggest U.S. natural gas producer, has received the U.S. Federal Trade Commission's approval to buy THQ Appalachia and associated infrastructure. The proposed deal is valued at $5.2 billion.

U.S. Natural Gas Futures Pare Gains After Expected Storage Build

U.S. natural gas futures pared gains after a federal report was largely in line with expectations of a smaller-than-usual storage build last week as hot weather kept cooling demand high.

German Government to Examine Finances of Private LNG Operator

The German government will examine the finances of Deutsche ReGas, the operator of a planned LNG terminal on the Baltic coast opposed by local authorities, it said in a response to a lawmaker seen by Reuters on Thursday.

Abu Dhabi's ADNOC Gas Signs 5-Year LNG Supply Deal with Japex

The deal is valued at between $450 million to $550 million, ADNOC Gas said, without providing LNG volumes or timing for the shipments to start.

Venezuela’s PDVSA Fails to Curb Oil Leaks, Gas Flaring Despite Pledges

Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA has failed to make any dent in its oil spill or gas flaring woes, despite nascent promises of environmental clean-up by President Nicolas Maduro's government, according to people within the company, industry sources and an internal company document seen by Reuters.

Brazil Studying Some $30 Billion in Low-Carbon Hydrogen Projects, Secretary Says

Brazil is studying some $30 billion in projects looking to produce low-carbon hydrogen, an official from the country's mines and energy ministry said on Wednesday, estimating the country has a potential output of 1.8 billion metric tons.

Dutch Court Rules Huge Carbon Capture Project Can Go Ahead

The Netherlands' highest court on Wednesday ruled that construction of a major carbon capture project in the Rotterdam port area can go ahead, despite objections by environmental activists.

Portgas Preparing to Automate Gas Mix, New Pipeline Technologies

(P&GJ) — REN Portgás, one of Portugal’s leading natural gas distributors, upgraded to DNV’s Synergi Gas Automated Model Builder to boost quicker and better-informed decision-making as they prepare for the new energy mix.

Energy Transfer to Buy Crestwood in $7.1 Billion Pipeline Deal

The $7.1 billion deal will see Energy Transfer add about 2 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of gas-gathering capacity, 1.4 Bcf/d of gas-processing capacity and 340,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude-gathering capacity.

Pembina Pipeline Delays Cedar LNG FID to Fourth Quarter 2023

(P&GJ) — Pembina Pipeline Corp. has been granted the permit for its proposed LNG facility by the BC Energy Regulator. Thus, the final investment decision (FID) timeline has been revised to the fourth quarter of 2023, due to ongoing discussions and negotiations involving LNG Canada and Coastal GasLink.

Suncor Energy's Quarterly Profit Halves on Lower Oil and Gas Prices

Canada's Suncor Energy has joined its global peers in reporting a sharp drop in quarterly profit, as oil and gas prices retreated from last year's peak. Suncor also took a $204 million restructuring charge during the second quarter related to its plans to cut 1,500 jobs this year to reduce costs.

Nigeria's NNPC Destroys Dozens of Illicit Refineries, Oil Pipeline Connections

Nigeria's state oil firm NNPC has successfully dismantled dozens of illicit refineries and unauthorized pipeline connections as part of ongoing efforts to curb theft in the oil-rich Niger River delta, it said on Tuesday.

EIA: U.S. Natural Gas Pipeline Exports to Mexico Set a Monthly High in June 2023

(P&GJ) — U.S. natural gas pipeline exports to Mexico averaged a record 6.8 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) for June 2023, which is 0.1 Bcf/d greater than the previous record set in June 2021, according to data from Wood Mackenzie.

BP Backs Green Hydrogen Start-Up Aiming to Cut Fuel's Costs

BP has invested in a start-up company developing technology seeking to use vapor from heavy industry to sharply reduce the production costs of zero-carbon hydrogen.

Canada Reaches Out to Indigenous Groups About Trans Mountain Stake Sale

The Canadian government has reached out to Indigenous groups about potentially selling them a stake in the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project, edging ahead on its long-promised involvement of local communities in the controversial project, the finance minister's office said on Wednesday.

Chevron Invests in Lower-Carbon Pilot Projects in Australia

The energy major would provide funding to Carbon Sync, which is leading a soil carbon sequestration pilot project as well as a research project with Deakin University to explore potential carbon dioxide sequestration opportunities in the region's coastal wetlands.

Mexico’s Ambitious LNG Export Goals Rely on US Pipeline Imports

(P&GJ) — If Mexico follows through with construction of all its proposed liquified natural gas export projects, it will become the fourth-largest LNG shipper in the world. Unlike the other countries in that Top 4 list, however, it would be the only one that imports most of the natural gas it ultimately ships.

Montana Judge Rules State Policies Must Consider Climate Change in Fossil Fuel Projects

Montana is violating the rights of young people with policies that prohibit the state from considering climate change effects when it reviews coal mining, natural gas extraction and other fossil fuel projects, a state judge said Monday.

Natural Gas Producer Chesapeake to Complete Eagle Ford Basin Exit with Silverbow Deal

Chesapeake said last year it viewed the Eagle Ford acreage as no longer core to its strategy and would focus on the gas-rich Marcellus and Haynesville shale formations.

Permian Operators Look to Carry the Load

(P&GJ) — Midstream projects in the region continue more-or-less undeterred with more than 8 Bcf/d of pipeline capacity planned or under construction from the Permian and Haynesville basins as operators lock in on expanding LNG export markets on the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coasts.

US Appeals Court Rejects Challenge to Mountain Valley Pipeline

A U.S. appeals court on Friday rejected a challenge to federal approvals for the Mountain Valley Pipeline, in a decision that likely ends legal fights over the construction of the $6.6 billion natural gas project led by Equitrans Midstream.

Oil Prices Fall 2% Despite Record US Crude Stock Drawdown

Oil prices settled down 2% on Wednesday despite a historic drop in U.S. crude stocks, as traders derisk following the downgrade of the U.S. government's top credit by a major ratings agency.

Australia Regulator Clears Way for Strike Vote at Chevron LNG Plants

Australia's labor regulator cleared the way for strike action at Chevron's Wheatstone and Gorgon LNG facilities if workers vote in favor of such a step, fueling concerns the country's exports could be cut.

US Awards $1.2 Billion to Oxy, Climeworks-Led Carbon Air Capture Hubs

The U.S. Department of Energy on Friday announced that projects in Texas and Louisiana to remove more than 2 million metric tons of carbon emissions per year will get over $1 billion in federal grants, a key step in scaling up direct air capture (DAC) technology.

Haynesville Riding LNG Wave to Gulf Coast

(P&GJ) — With the primary driver of U.S. natural gas demand growth continuing to be LNG exports, the bottlenecked pipeline takeaway capacity in the gas-rich Marcellus Shale has left the Haynesville shale, along with the Permian Basin, as the two regions with the most consistent midstream growth.