Europe

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.

Naturgy and Enagas Plan $521 Million Green Hydrogen Project in Spain

The project, scheduled to start production in 2026, will have a capacity of around 280 megawatts and will be located in La Robla, on the site of a Naturgy's thermal power plant, which closed in 2020, the two companies said in a joint statement.

Leviathan Group Starts Plans for Israeli Floating LNG Terminal

Partners in the Leviathan gas field in the eastern Mediterranean have approved nearly $100 million of spending on preparation for expansion that includes a floating LNG terminal off the coast of Israel, the companies said on Tuesday.

Slovak Parliament Rows Back on Taxing Main Gas Transit Pipeline

The tax, planned at 6,000 euros per kilometer of pipeline, or around 126 million euros ($134 million) per year, was approved late last year as part of efforts to raise revenue for the 2023 budget that already sees a 6.4% deficit of gross domestic product.

Greece and Bulgaria to Consider Reviving 186-Mile Oil Pipeline Project

Bulgaria has been looking to build a 300 km (186 miles) trans-Balkan oil pipeline to secure non-Russian crude oil supplies for its only oil refinery on the Black Sea. The pipeline would offer Bulgaria alternative supply sources and a safer, faster and cheaper way to transfer the fuel, with oil tankers bypassing the now congested Bosphorus Strait.

Neste Engineering Solutions Completes Construction of Transmission Pipeline

(P&GJ) — Neste Engineering Solutions, a global solution provider of high-quality technology, engineering and project services, has completed the construction work of the 2.2-km (1.4-mile) long gas transmission pipeline for Gasgrid Finland's LNG floating terminal vessel Exemplar in Inkoo, Finland.

Italy's Ansaldo Energia Signs $171 Million Gas Turbine Deal in Azerbaijan

Ansaldo Energia has signed a deal worth more than $170.88 million with Azerbaijan's largest electrical power producer Azerenerji to sell four gas turbines, the Italian service provider for the power generation industry said.

Italy to Sign Gas Turbines Contract with Azerbaijan

Italy is set to sign a new contract to sell four gas turbines to Azerbaijan, its industry minister said on Saturday ahead of his visit to the Asian country that is one of Rome's most important energy partners.

Enagas: Algeria Regains Spot as Spain's Top Natural Gas Source

Enagas said 25%, or 8,545 GWh, of total gas deliveries to Spain in January of this year came from Algeria. Both countries are linked through the 757-kilometer (470-mile) submarine Medgaz pipeline.

Australian Government Seeks More Leeway to Curb East Coast LNG Exports

Australia's government has proposed to expand its ability to curb LNG exports from three projects on the east coast in order to meet gas supply shortfalls, under a plan due to take effect in April.

Germany in Advanced Talks with Oman for Natural Gas Supplies

Germany and Oman are in advanced talks to sign a long-term deal for LNG lasting at least 10 years as Berlin continues its search for alternatives to Russian fuel supplies, three sources familiar with the matter said.

France’s Dispute with Germany and Spain Over Hydrogen Could Block Billion-Dollar Pipeline Project

A new row has erupted between France, Germany and Spain over nuclear energy, with Paris furious about a lack of support from Berlin and Madrid for its efforts to have nuclear-derived hydrogen labeled as 'green' in EU legislation, sources said.

Turkey's Ceyhan Oil Terminal, Iraq's KRG Pipeline Halted After Earthquake

Turkish pipeline operator BOTAS said there was no damage on main pipelines which carry crude oil from Iraq and Azerbaijan to Turkey. An emergency meeting will take place on the issue, the Tribeca shipping agency said.

Enagas: Number of Ships Loading LNG in Spain Doubled in 2022

The number of ships loading LNG in Spain and taking it across Europe doubled in 2022 compared with the previous year, helping ease the energy crisis driven by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, gas grid operator Enagas said on Thursday.

Shell Still Taking LNG Cargoes from Russia Under Novatek Contract

The world's largest LNG trader agreed a more than 20-year deal in 2015 for Novatek to supply around 900,000 tonnes per annum from the Yamal LNG plant in Siberia.

Bulgaria Begins Construction on 106-Mile Gas Pipeline to Serbia

Bulgaria began construction on Wednesday of a long-delayed natural gas link with neighboring Serbia that will allow flows of non-Russian gas to Belgrade and boost the security of supplies in southeastern Europe.

Australia and Germany to Invest $90 Million for Joint Hydrogen Supply Chain Projects

Australia and Germany have earmarked $35.5 million and $54.4 million, respectively, towards a joint initiative to establish a green hydrogen supply chain, Australian Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said on Friday.

ICE to Open London Gas Hub, Creating Route Around EU Price Cap

The Intercontinental Exchange plans to launch a "parallel market" in London for Title Transfer Facility gas trading next month, it said on Friday, providing a way for market participants to avoid the European Union's gas price cap.

Sempra Energy Strikes 20-Year LNG Supply Deal with Poland's PKN ORLEN

Sempra Energy said on Wednesday it would supply 1 MTPA of LNG from its Port Arthur LNG Phase 1 project to Poland's PKN ORLEN SA for 20 years.

Gascade and Fluxys Step Up Plans for North Sea Hydrogen Pipeline

Pipeline operators Gascade and Fluxys are stepping up the pace on plans for a green hydrogen pipeline in the North Sea by applying to the European Commission to qualify for fast-track approvals and funding, they said on Monday.

Russian Gas Exports to Europe Plunge 22% in January - Reuters

Daily pipeline gas exports by Kremlin-controlled energy giant Gazprom to Europe fell 22% in the first half of January compared with December amid milder than usual weather, Reuters calculations show.

Germany Must Speed Up Hydrogen Plans – Pipeline Group OGE

Germany must accelerate a hydrogen law revision, which is pending in Berlin, to allow for related investments in gas transport networks up to the end of the decade, said the head of gas pipeline operator, Open Grid Europe (OGE).

Bulgaria Looking to Revive 186-Mile Trans-Balkan Pipeline Project

Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, is holding talks with neighboring Greece to build the 300-km (186-mile) trans-Balkan pipeline to transport crude oil from the Greek port of Alexandroupolis on the Aegean Sea to Bulgaria's Black Sea port of Burgas in an effort to secure non-Russian oil.

Former Gazprom Unit Sefe Has Secured Regasification Capacity at Dunkirk

German gas importer Sefe has secured 3.5 Bcm of regasification capacity in Dunkirk and is closing in on new LNG import deals, its boss said, mapping out the former Gazprom division's future strategy.

Wintershall Dea Urges Germany to Clear CO2 Exports for Storage

German oil and gas producer Wintershall Dea urged Berlin on Monday to clear exports of carbon dioxide to European neighbors that would be buried in so-called carbon capture and storage facilities.