Europe
Global News April 2023
US LNG exports hit record as Freeport production returns, Granholm says refilling US strategic petroleum reserve could take years, EU Nations seek legal option to stop Russian LNG imports, Oil firms halt or cut output in Iraqi Kurdistan, and more!
Iraq to Ask Turkey to Restart Northern Oil Exports After Initial KRG Deal
Iraq's federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) have reached an initial agreement to restart northern oil exports this week, a KRG spokesman said on Sunday, and Baghdad will write to Turkey to request a resumption in pipeline flows.
Uganda Approves Construction of 898-Mile Crude Pipeline
Uganda approves construction of 898-mile crude pipeline, Biden backs scaled-back ConocoPhillips Alaska oil project, construction of 106-mile gas pipeline to Serbia underway, Coastal GasLink pipeline costs expected to top $10 billion and more.
Finland's Floating LNG Terminal to Receive First Commercial Cargo
Finland is set to receive the first commercial delivery of LNG to the Inkoo floating terminal set up to replace Russian gas supply after the start of the war in Ukraine.
EU Countries Seek Legal Option to Stop Russian LNG Imports
European Union countries agreed on Tuesday to seek a legal option to stop Russian companies sending LNG to EU nations by preventing Russian firms from booking infrastructure capacity.
MOL Group Receives 617,000 Barrels of Crude Via the Adria Pipeline
(P&GJ) — MOL Group said this shipment constitutes well-to-wheel integration of its value chain as it will process and sell petroleum products refined at one of its own refineries using crude oil produced at a field it co-owns.
Portugal to Launch Europe's First Auction for Piped Hydrogen
Portugal will launch a pioneering auction in the second half of this year for rights to sell hydrogen for injection into the national gas grid, which some see as a key step in kickstarting Europe’s fledgling hydrogen market.
Kremlin: Important to Identify Object Found Next to Nord Stream Pipeline
The Kremlin on Friday said it was important to identify an object discovered next to one of the Nord Stream pipelines and said the ongoing investigation into blasts that struck the pipelines last September must be conducted with full transparency.
Spain Asks Gas Importers to Wean Themselves Off Russian LNG
The Spanish government has asked LNG buyers to refrain from signing new contracts for Russian gas once existing contracts have expired, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Friday.
Germany Cannot Rule Out Gas Shortage Emergency for Winter 2023/24
Additional risks could be posed if Germany's planned liquefied natural gas import infrastructure does not work and if neighboring countries require supply support from Europe's biggest economy down the line.
Study Finds Potential for Massive North Sea Hydrogen Pipeline Network
The study, commissioned by German gas pipeline operator Gascade, says that up to 300 terawatt hours a year of clean hydrogen made from North Sea offshore wind power could be transported by the grid.
Strikes at LNG Terminals and Gas Refineries Continue in Response to French Pension Reform
At least seven LNG ships heading to France have changed course to terminals in Britain, the Netherlands and Spain since the strike action started. The closure of French terminals for another week would significantly hamper France's ability to export gas to neighboring countries.
Exxon Considers Selling Stake in LNG Terminal Offshore Italy
Exxon Mobil Corp. is considering selling its majority stake in Italy's main regasification terminal as part of a wider strategy to divest from noncore assets, the company said in a statement on Wednesday.
Nord Stream Owners Discuss Pipeline Repairs, Says E.ON
Shareholders of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline operator are discussing how to seal and empty the damaged gas pipeline to halt corrosion from sea water, said the chief financial officer of E.ON, one of the owners.
Putin Says Germany Remains "Occupied" Due to Response to Nord Stream Pipeline Explosion
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Germany's response to the explosion on North Sea pipelines showed that the country remained "occupied" and unable to act independently decades after its surrender at the end of World War Two.
Minister: Britain to Announce New CCS Support Within Days
The British government will outline within days incentives for companies to bury their greenhouse gases deep underground, using a promising technology for reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide, a minister said on Thursday.
Norway Does Not Fear EU Joint Gas-Buying Will Create Cartel
Europe's biggest natural gas supplier Norway is not worried the European Union scheme to buy gas jointly in global markets will create a buyers' cartel, its oil and energy minister said on Friday.
Ukraine to Jointly Buy Gas with European Union Countries
Ukraine will take part in the European Union scheme to jointly buy gas in global markets, to procure 2 billion cubic meters of the fuel ahead of next winter, the EU energy policy chief said on Thursday.
German Minister: Nord Stream Attacks May be 'False Flag' Operation
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius on Wednesday warned against reaching premature conclusions on who was responsible for blowing up the Nord Stream pipelines, suggesting the attack could also have been a "false flag" operation to blame Ukraine.
Turkey's Ruling Party Presents Gas Reform in Step Towards Trading Hub
Turkey's ruling AK Party presented a draft law to parliament on Wednesday aimed at establishing a competitive natural gas market as the country attempts to become a gas trading hub bringing together suppliers and consumers.
Italian Court Delays Decision on Tuscan LNG Terminal to July
An Italian administrative court has postponed until July 5 a decision on a complaint against a new LNG terminal being set up in the Tuscan port of Piombino, the court said on Wednesday.
Factbox: Carbon Capture and Storage Projects Across Europe
Efforts to remove carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from industry and store them in underground storage have gained steam across Europe over the past few years as countries seek to meet their climate goals.
US Intelligence Suggests Pro-Ukrainian Group Sabotaged Nord Stream Pipelines -NYT
New intelligence reviewed by U.S. officials suggests that a pro-Ukrainian group carried out the attack on the Nord Stream pipelines last year, the New York Times reported on Tuesday.
Europe Takes Steps Toward Developing Hydrogen Pipeline Network
German energy firm RWE and Norwegian oil and gas producer Equinor are planning the construction of new combined-cycle gas turbines (CCGTs) in Germany, blue hydrogen production facilities in Norway, and the implementation of hydrogen pipelines between the two countries.
Global News - March 2023
Latest industry news and developments
Enagas Buys 80-Mile Gas Pipeline Network in Northwestern Spain for $57 Million
Spanish grid operator Enagas has bought a 130-km (80-mile) gas pipeline network from energy firm Reganosa while selling the latter a 25% stake in its El Musel regasification plant in northern Spain, the companies said on Tuesday. The acquisition of the pipeline network cost $57.33 million.
Russia Halts Oil to Poland Via Druzhba Pipeline, Says Refiner PKN Orlen
The halt in supplies via the Druzhba pipeline — which has been exempted from European Union sanctions imposed on Russia following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine — came a day after Poland delivered its first Leopard tanks to Ukraine.
Wintershall Dea Looks Ahead After Closing Door on Russia
Oil and gas producer Wintershall Dea, fresh from pulling out of its long-term partnership with Russia, will focus on growing its production elsewhere and building up carbon management for the long-term future, it said on Thursday.
Tellurian Taps LNG Demand Surge to Deliver Fourfold Jump in Production
Tellurian Inc. on Wednesday reported a fourfold increase in quarterly natural gas production to meet a surge in demand triggered by Western sanctions against Russia over the Ukraine invasion.
Kazakh Oil Decouples from Russian Crude But Risk Weighs on Price
Kazakhstan has separated its oil exports from those of Russian crude by launching its own KEBCO brand, but sanctions against Moscow are still putting pressure on the price of Kazakh oil pumped through Russian pipelines, data shows.
- Keystone Oil Pipeline Resumes Operations After Temporary Shutdown
- Freeport LNG Plant Runs Near Zero Consumption for Fifth Day
- Biden Administration Buys Oil for Emergency Reserve Above Target Price
- Mexico Seizes Air Liquide's Hydrogen Plant at Pemex Refinery
- Enbridge to Invest $500 Million in Pipeline Assets, Including Expansion of 850-Mile Gray Oak Pipeline
- Evacuation Technologies to Reduce Methane Releases During Pigging
- Editor’s Notebook: Nord Stream’s $20 Billion Question
- Enbridge Receives Approval to Begin Service on Louisiana Venice Gas Pipeline Project
- Mexico Seizes Air Liquide's Hydrogen Plant at Pemex Refinery
- Russian LNG Unfazed By U.S. Sanctions
