Europe

Croatia Kicks Off LNG Terminal in North Adriatic

Croatia's LNG terminal on the northern Adriatic island of Krk began operations amid the first delivery of gas, said the company which runs the unit.

Nord Stream 2 Completes Section in German Waters

The Russia-led Nord Stream 2 consortium said on Monday it has completed laying pipes for the project in German waters, finishing work on a 1.6-mile (2.6-km) portion of the pipeline, which had been stalled by the threat of U.S. sanctions.

US Preparing New Sanctions to Impede Nord Stream 2 Pipeline

The United States is urging European allies and private companies to halt work that could help build the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline and is preparing wider sanctions on the Russian project in coming weeks, senior Trump administration officials said on Wednesday.

North Sea Could Shift from Oil Reservoir to CO2 Storage - Total CEO

The North Sea could be switched from a depleting oil and gas basin to a site for storing carbon dioxide under the seabed, Total CEO Patrick Pouyanne said on Tuesday.

EU Proposes Funding Shift Away From Natural Gas

The European Commission on Tuesday proposed rules to restrict funding for natural gas projects and instead funnel cash into low-carbon technologies to meet climate goals.

Britain to End State Support for Fossil Fuel Sector Exports

Britain said it is ending state support for fossil fuel industry exports, and shifting government assistance to low-carbon and renewable energy projects abroad.

Eni Looking to Sell Assets in Pakistan - Sources

Italian energy group Eni is looking to sell assets in Pakistan as part of moves to refocus its oil and gas portfolio following a strategic re-shake this year, sources close to the matter said.

EU Leaders Clinch Deal on Tougher 2030 Climate Goal

European Union countries agreed to a new climate change target for the bloc on Friday after haggling through the night in Brussels, pulling the political trigger on a policy revamp to make every sector greener.

Why Green Hydrogen is Getting its Day in the Sun

Hydrogen has taken off this year as the future green fuel of choice, with governments and businesses betting big that the universe's most abundant element can help fight climate change.

Russia Restarts Nord Stream 2 Pipeline Construction Despite U.S. Sanctions

Russia has resumed construction of the politically-charged Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to Germany, laying pipes after a one-year hiatus prompted by U.S. sanctions.

EU May Restrict Support for Natural Gas Projects, Citing Climate Goals

The European Union is planning to restrict its funding for natural gas projects because of the risk they pose to the bloc's climate goals, according to draft rules seen by Reuters.

Trans Adriatic Pipeline Explores Feasibility of Blending Hydrogen

Developers of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) have started feasibility studies on blending hydrogen with the natural gas the pipeline will bring in from Azerbaijan, the TAP head said.

Russian Pipelaying Vessel Stops Near Nord Stream 2 Site

The Russian pipe-laying vessel Akademik Cherskiy stopped on Saturday near the construction site of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea, Refinitiv Eikon data showed on Saturday.

Eni Strikes Deals to Reopen Egypt's Damietta LNG Plant

Italian energy group Eni has struck deals with Spanish gas firm Naturgy and Egyptian partners to resolve disputes over a shuttered gas plant it part owns in northern Egypt.

Fire Shuts Equinor Gas Processing Terminal, Methanol Plant

A fire at Norway's Tjeldbergodden industrial facility on Wednesday triggered an evacuation of staff and the shutdown of Europe's largest methanol plant and a gas processing terminal, state-controlled oil firm Equinor said.

Gassco Changes Make Norway Gas Flows Harder to Gauge - Analysts

Norwegian gas pipeline operator Gassco launched a revamped data website this week that switches away from live physical flows, drawing criticism from analysts who say it has reduced transparency in a key energy market.

Belgium-UK Gas Interconnector Pipeline Reduces Capacity

The Interconnector gas pipeline will reduce capacity for immediate delivery flows from Belgium to Britain, effective Tuesday, the operator said.

Gazprom Swings to Q3 Net Loss of $3.3B, Raises 2020 Exports Outlook

Russian gas giant Gazprom reported a loss of 251.3 billion roubles ($3.3 billion) for the third quarter due to the weak rouble, the company said on Monday, while it also raised its outlook for gas exports to Europe, a key source of revenue.

Nord Stream 2 to Resume Pipelaying This Year

Russia's Nord Stream 2 said it plans to resume pipelaying work on the short, final stretch of the stalled Moscow-backed gas pipeline to Europe, in spite of U.S. sanctions.

Norway's DNV GL Suspends Nord Stream 2 Work over U.S. Sanctions Fear

Norway's risk management and quality assurance firm DNV GL said it has suspended work on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project led by Russia's Gazprom for fear of being sanctioned by the United States.

Belarus Plans to Raise Pipeline Tariff on Russian Oil by 25%

Belarus has proposed to increase a tariff it charges Russia for oil transit to Europe by a quarter, raising the stakes in oil supply talks complicated by political upheaval in Minsk, three oil industry sources told Reuters on Thursday.

Russia's Novatek Starts LNG Ship-to-Ship Operations in Murmansk

Russian gas producer Novatek has started ship-to-ship loadings of LNG near the northern port of Murmansk, following U.S. pressure to stop terminal deliveries in Norway.

EU Denies Gas Plants a Green Finance Tag

The European Commission on Friday proposed that power plants fueled by natural gas would not be not classed as a sustainable investment in Europe, although plants could possibly gain a green label by burning some hydrogen.

Russia's Payments to Belarus for Contaminated Oil Still Unresolved

Russia and Belarus have yet to resolve differences over compensation for contaminated oil supplies last year, with the issue linked to a broader dispute between the ex-Soviet republics, industry sources said.

New CO2 Tax Hikes Price of Natural Gas in Germany

Millions of German households will see their gas heating bills rise at the start of 2021 because of a new carbon dioxide tax, price comparison portal Verivox said on Tuesday, citing 7.1% average increases planned by 104 suppliers it surveyed.

First LNG Trains Delivered to Calcasieu Pass from Italy

Venture Global LNG moved a step closer to startup of its Calcasieu Pass LNG export facility with Baker Hughes’ delivery of the first two pre-built liquefaction trains to the project site in Cameron Parish, La.

Italy Drafts Guidelines for National Hydrogen Strategy

Italy has set out guidelines for a national hydrogen strategy to help de-carbonize the economy as it phases out coal and boosts renewables, a change that would rely on existing pipeline infrastructure.

Tech Notes: Neptune Energy, Eserv Partner on Digitization of Cygnus Platform

Neptune Energy announced a new partnership with 3-D technology specialist, Eserv, as part of the ongoing digitalization of Neptune’s assets, including its operated Cygnus gas platform in the southern North Sea in the U.K.

Global News

OPEC Predicts Oil Demand to Plateau in Late 2030s World oil demand will plateau in the late 2030s and could by then have begun to decline, OPEC said, in a major shift for the producer group that reflects the lasting impact of the coronavirus crisis on the economy and consumer habits.  ..

Nord Stream 2 Sanctions Included in U.S. Defense Bill

Sanctions that could hinder one of Moscow's most important projects in Europe, the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline, have been included in the annual U.S. defense policy bill, two congressional aides said on Wednesday.