Europe

European Energy Giants Urge U.S. Regulators to Reject Venture Global LNG's Permit Extension

Top European energy companies on Friday asked U.S. regulators to reject Venture Global LNG's request for a one-year construction permit extension to its Louisiana export plant.

Turkish Oil Terminal Stops Accepting Russian Imports Amid U.S. Sanctions Pressure

One of Turkey's mid-sized Mediterranean oil terminals - the Dortyol terminal - will no longer accept Russian imports after receiving record volumes last year, amid an increase in sanctions pressure by the United States.

HVO: Fuel for the Future

The advancement of the energy transition is leading to a growing imperative to reduce carbon emissions in challenging-to-transform sectors. Various industries are adopting alternative fuels and embracing increased electrification to promote sustainable practices within the construction and extraction sectors. In this regard, hydrated vegetable oil (HVO) represents a pioneering alternative fuel source.

Vitol Nears Acquisition of Exxon, QatarEnergy Stakes in Italy LNG Terminal

Vitol-backed energy storage company VTTI is close to acquiring a majority stake in Italy's biggest LNG import terminal from Exxon Mobil and QatarEnergy, two sources with knowledge of the matter said on Monday.

Global News March 2024

Latest industry developments from around the world!

Iqony Plans Three Hydrogen-Ready Gas Plants in Germany

German firm Iqony plans to build gas-fired plants at three existing sites, a company spokesperson said on Thursday, becoming the latest firm to seek a slice of the government's planned tender for 10 gigawatts (GW) of new capacity.

Saipem Expects 20% Drop in Aramco Orders Following Capacity Target Cut

Italian energy contractor Saipem's CEO said on Thursday it expects a 20% drop in average annual orders from Saudi Aramco to 2027 as a result of the state oil company's decision to drop its capacity expansion plans.

Snam Enters Exclusive Talks to Acquire Edison's Gas Storage Assets in Italy

Energy group Edison said on Monday it started exclusive talks with gas grid operator Snam over the sale of its natural gas storage assets in Italy.

U.S. Takes Lead as Top Supplier to Europe for Crude, Diesel and LNG

The United States has taken the top spot as Europe's supplier of crude oil, diesel, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) in recent months, capitalizing on reduced imports from east of Suez caused by shipping disruptions in the Red Sea.

EU Allocates $402 Million to Italian Energy Groups for Green Hydrogen Project

The European Commission has awarded financing of up to $402 million to set up a 'Green Hydrogen Valley' in Italy's Puglia region, the energy groups involved said.

Germany Plans to Expand Carbon Capture and Storage, Including Sub-Seabed Transport

Germany will change its carbon dioxide storage law to allow carbon capture and off-shore storage for certain industrial sectors as Europe's biggest economy aims to become carbon neutral by 2045, Economy Minister Robert Habeck said on Monday.

Denmark Ends Probe Into 'Deliberate' Nord Stream Pipeline Blasts

Denmark has dropped its investigation into the explosions in 2022 on the Nord Stream pipelines carrying Russian gas to Germany, police said on Monday, becoming the second nation to do so after Sweden closed its own inquiry.

First LNG Vessel Arrives at Germany's New Mukran Terminal

The first vessel carrying LNG for Germany's Baltic Sea terminal of Mukran arrived on Saturday for a test operation as the country steps up its quest to replace Russian pipeline gas.

Scotland's Finnart Pipeline Repairs Projected to Continue Through April

Repair work on the Finnart pipeline that supplies Scotland's only refinery will take longer than expected to complete, five industry sources told Reuters, in the latest in a series of setbacks this year.

Germany's SEFE Weighs Investments in Hydrogen Storage, Pipelines

German nationalized gas trader SEFE is exploring transforming some of its underground storage caverns and pipelines to clean hydrogen, its CEO said, indicating this could involve investments of roughly $541 million.

EU Sees No Need to Extend Deal on Russian Gas Transit via Ukraine

The European Union sees no need to extend an agreement to transport Russian gas to Europe via Ukraine, ahead of the contract's planned expiry at the end of the year, the bloc's energy policy chief said on Thursday.

Equinor Signs 15-Year LNG Deal with India's Deepak Fertilizers

Norway's Equinor said on Monday it had signed a 15-year agreement to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) to India's Deepak Fertilizers from 2026.

Gasgrid Confirms On-Track Progress for Balticconnector Pipeline Repair, Targeting April Completion

Finland's Gasgrid on Thursday said preparations for the repair of the Balticconnector gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia were on schedule and estimated that commissioning could take place in April.

EU Approves $4.9 Billion German State Funds for Hydrogen Projects

The European Commission approved some $4.94 billion in German government funding for 24 German hydrogen projects, the economy ministry said on Thursday as Europe's biggest economy bets on the fuel for decarbonization.

Shell Forecasts 50% Surge in Global LNG Demand by 2040

Global demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG) is estimated to rise by more than 50% by 2040, as China and countries in South and Southeast Asia use LNG to support their economic growth, Shell said on Wednesday.

Caspian Pipeline Consortium Sees 7% Increase in Oil Exports Year-on-Year in January

The Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) increased crude oil exports by 7% in January from the same month a year ago to 6.116 million metric tons (1.55 million barrels per day), industry sources told Reuters on Tuesday.

Williams CEO Warns U.S. LNG Export Terminal Permit Pause May Fuel Overseas Coal Consumption

The Biden administration's pause on approving permits for U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminals could backfire by boosting coal usage overseas, the CEO of U.S. natural gas pipeline operator Williams Companies said.

Russia Extends Permit for LNG Supplies to Germany's SEFE Until 2040

The Russian government has extended a permit for its Yamal LNG plant to supply LNG to German nationalized gas importer and trader SEFE until Dec. 31, 2040, according to a government document published on Friday.

Sonatrach to Supply Germany with Pipeline Gas for the First Time

Germany will receive its first supplies of pipeline natural gas from Algeria under a medium-term contract signed between a subsidiary of trader VNG AG and state-owned oil and gas firm Sonatrach, the companies said on Thursday.

GAIL India Responds to Red Sea Crisis, Buys Spot LNG and Redirects U.S. Supply to Europe

India's state-run GAIL (India) Ltd. is selling more U.S. LNG in European markets and making spot purchases to avert delays due to the Red Sea crisis, head of marketing Sanjay Kumar told a press conference.

Norway's Equinor Open to More Long-Term Gas Deals

Norway's Equinor would welcome more long-term supply agreements for its natural gas production, after announcing several such deals last year, the head of its marketing, midstream and processing division said on Wednesday.

Venture Global and Grain LNG Ink 16-Year Deal for LNG Supply to UK

Under the agreement, Venture Global will have the ability to access 3 million tonnes per annum of LNG storage and regasification capacity at the Isle of Grain LNG receiving terminal for sixteen years beginning in 2029-equivalent of up to 5% of average U.K. gas demand.

Italy's Snam Initiates Market Test for Hydrogen Demand, Seeks Interest in Carbon Capture Projects

Snam is officially launching a market test for hydrogen demand in Italy and a collection of expressions of interest for carbon dioxide (CO2) transport and storage, the gas grid operator said on Monday.

U.S. Says Allies 'Reassured' LNG Pause Does Not Affect Current Exports

U.S. allies concerned about steady supplies of LNG are reassured when they understand President Joe Biden's pause on LNG export approvals does not affect currently permitted shipments, a U.S. State Department official said on Monday.

Germany Unveils $17 Billion Subsidy Plan for Hydrogen-Ready Gas Power Plants

Germany's government has agreed plans to subsidize gas power plants that can switch to hydrogen, the economy ministry said on Monday, with a price tag of $17 billion in subsidies as part of efforts to supplement intermittent renewable energy and speed up the transition to low carbon generation.