Europe

Britain targets Russian LNG sector with fresh shipping sanctions

Britain on Thursday sanctioned five vessels and two associated entities involved in the shipping of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG), with the government saying it was using new legal powers for the first time to target LNG vessels directly.

Fincantieri LNG-powered Star Princess launched in Monfalcone

The launch of Star Princess, the second LNG (liquefied natural gas) cruise ship that Fincantieri is building for Princess Cruises, took place today at the Monfalcone shipyard.

Tanker ships condensate from Russia's Arctic LNG 2 to port of Vitino

A tanker has begun making shipments of gas condensate to the Arctic port of Vitino from the Arctic LNG 2 project.

Spain increases green hydrogen goal

Spain has increased its target for green hydrogen (H2) production capacity in a sign of confidence in an industry that has seen some energy giants scale back plans due to high costs and uncertain demand.

Shell shelves Norway hydrogen project due to lack of demand

Shell has scrapped plans for a low-carbon hydrogen plant on Norway's west coast due to a lack of demand, the energy company said on Monday, days after Equinor cancelled a similar planned project in Norway.

Dutch see rise in Russian LNG imports, urge further sanctions

Imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia at the Netherlands' main terminal in Rotterdam have risen in recent months, underlining the need for further sanctions.

Norway's Gassco restarts key gas export plant after maintenance

Norwegian gas infrastructure operator Gassco has restarted the Kaarstoe processing plant, a key hub for gas supplies to Germany, and is ramping up output following three weeks of maintenance.

Norway's Equinor scraps plans to export blue hydrogen to Germany

Norway's Equinor has scrapped plans to export blue hydrogen to Germany because it is too expensive and there is insufficient demand. Equinor and Germany's RWE signed a Memorandum of Understanding in January 2022 to build a hydrogen supply chain for German power plants to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Uniper, ConocoPhillips agree to 10-yr natural gas supply deal

German energy company Uniper and U.S. oil and gas producer ConocoPhillips have agreed on a supply deal for up to 10 Bm3 of natural gas over the next 10 yr.

LNG contracting off to a great start in 2024

Long-term LNG contracting activity is off to a strong start in 2024. Since the beginning of the year, 58 MMtpy of LNG SPAs (sales purchase agreements), capacity agreements and Heads of Agreements (HOAs) have been signed. This follows over 94 MMtpy of new LNG SPAs and HOAs agreed upon last year.

Germany building up LNG import terminals

Germany is trying to expand its natural gas import options to replace Russian supply and as part of its decarbonization efforts.

Apollo partners with bp in Trans Adriatic Pipeline

bp and Apollo has announced an agreement for Apollo-managed funds to purchase a non-controlling stake in bp Pipelines TAP Ltd., the bp subsidiary that holds a 20% share in Trans Adriatic Pipeline AG (TAP) in a transaction valued at approximately $1 B.

Vienna power firm says will phase out Russian gas in 2025

Vienna's main power company said on Friday it would phase out its use of Russian natural gas in 2025 as Austria steps up efforts to cut its reliance on energy supplies from Russia following Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

French gas consumption to drop 20% by 2030, grid operators say

Gas consumption in France is expected to drop by almost 20% by 2030 under changes aimed at meeting climate targets and efforts to curb costs.

EU LNG import utilization falls as demand declines

European Union LNG import terminals are being utilized less as demand for the fuel continues declining across the continent, increasing the realization that Europe’s LNG import infrastructure will become increasingly underutilized as gas use drops further.

Helen Oy, MAN Energy Solutions and H-TEC SYSTEMS partner to build Helsinki hydrogen plant

Helen Oy is joining MAN Energy Solutions and H-TEC SYSTEMS to build a 3-MW green hydrogen production plant in the vicinity of Helsinki’s district heating network and the Vuosaari Harbour.

ORLEN secures EU grant for hydrogen projects

The international HySPARK project, led by ORLEN in collaboration with a consortium of 17 global partners, has become the first in Poland to receive funding from the EU Clean H2 Partnership program. Close to €9 MM will be allocated to the production and testing of H2-powered vehicles for Chopin Airport and Warsaw’s public transportation system.

LNG entities under U.S. sanctions to curb Russia's Arctic LNG 2 project

The U.S. has imposed sanctions on hundreds of entities and individuals for supporting Russia's war effort in Ukraine, including companies supporting the development of Russia's Arctic LNG 2 project and its shipment of LNG, as well as other future energy projects.

Azerbijani President confident on Russian deal that will keep gas flowing to several European countries

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said he was optimistic of a breakthrough in talks between Moscow and Kyiv to keep Russian gas flowing through Ukraine to several European countries.

Poland's Orlen signs Lithuania deal to boost LNG deliveries

Polish refiner Orlen signed a five-year agreement with Lithuanian oil and gas logistics firm KN Energies for exclusive use of a waterfront LNG transshipment station in Klaipeda.

Rohe Solutions begins bio-LNG production at the Hamina LNG terminal

Rohe Solutions started the production of Bio-LNG (liquefied biomethane) at the Hamina LNG terminal in Finland. Bio-LNG is produced using biomethane from the gas grid in a process called liquefaction from the grid.

Maire completes carbon capture plant for Eni's natural gas treatment in Italy

MAIRE, through its subsidiaries NEXTCHEM (Sustainable Technology Solutions) and KT (Integrated E&C Solutions), acted as technology integrator and completed the full engineering, procurement and construction works for a carbon plant at the ENI natural gas treatment plant of Casalborsetti, near Ravenna, Italy.

Eni, Snam launch Italy's first carbon capture project

Eni and Snam have launched Italy's first carbon capture, transport and storage (CCS) project to help heavy polluting industries cut carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

Gasum to supply Hapag-Lloyd with waste-based bio-LNG in accordance with winning ZEMBA tender

Energy company Gasum is collaborating with Hapag-Lloyd to supply their container vessels with liquefied biomethane (bio-LNG) during a two-year tender period.

Asia spot LNG prices rise on supply concerns, geopolitical tensions

Asian spot liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices rose this week as outages in LNG facilities in Australia and Malaysia sparked supply concerns, although buying interests from China remained limited due to higher price levels.

Cyprus mulls ending gas imports monopoly to address project delays

Cyprus wants to end a state monopoly over the import of natural gas in an attempt to find a quick workaround over serious project delays in getting the commodity to market.

INNIO Group “Ready for H2” engines selected to modernize Romania’s CHP plants transition to net-zero

INNIO Group, in collaboration with Clarke Energy, will revamp two major combined heat and power plants in Romania with Jenbacher "Ready for H2" engines.

Kremlin says Europe will pay more unless Ukraine extends gas transit deal

European consumers will face higher prices unless Kyiv agrees to extend a deal on Russian gas transit via Ukraine once it expires on Dec. 31.

Europe gas prices vulnerable to Ukraine transit stop, says TotalEnergies CEO

The future of Russian gas transit through Ukraine remains a key uncertainty for European gas prices, even as the continent heads into the winter with full storages.

Asia spot LNG prices ease from 8-month top on weaker demand

Asian spot liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices eased this week from a more than 8-mos top on the back of easing spot demand and as European gas prices also fell.