Europe

Greenpeace Blocks Arrival of New LNG Unit at French Port

A new LNG floating storage regasification unit (FSRU) arrived in western France on Monday morning, a TotalEnergies' spokesperson said, as activist group Greenpeace tried to prevent it from entering port.

Irish Planning Body Rejects Major LNG Terminal, Cites Climate Plan

Ireland's top planning body has refused permission for a major new LNG terminal, citing the government's greenhouse gas reduction targets, a possibly fatal blow to a project supporters say is essential to the country's energy security.

Turkish Minister: Iraq-Turkey Oil Pipeline Ready to Resume Operations Soon

Iraq's northern oil export route through Turkey will soon be ready to resume operation after checks on pipeline maintenance and repairs to flood damage, the Turkish energy minister said.

ConocoPhillips Signs 15-Year LNG Deal at Gate Terminal in Netherlands

ConocoPhillips has signed a 15-year LNG throughput deal in the Netherlands, starting in 2031, to secure additional regasification capacity in Europe.

BP Commits to Germany with $11 Billion Low-Carbon Investment Push

BP plans to invest up to $10.7 billion in low-carbon fuels, renewables and EV charging in Germany by the end of the decade to rival local power firms, as competition over the energy transition of Europe's largest economy intensifies.

EU to Launch First Phase of World-First CO2 Border Tax

The European Union starts the initial phase of its plan for the world's first carbon border tax next month, requiring importers to report the CO2 emissions of products sold into Europe, such as steel and cement, or risk financial penalties.

North Africa Will Be Italy's Key Gas Supplier for Years, Eni Top Exec Says

Algeria, Egypt and Libya will be Italy's main gas suppliers for the next few years, Eni's head of natural resources told Reuters, adding that the energy group would invest heavily in Africa both in exploration and in new low-carbon projects.

EU Has No Immediate Plans to Ban Russian LNG, Says Spain's Ribera

The European Union has no short-term plan to ban Russian LNG despite soaring imports to the bloc, Spain's energy minister said, citing fears of another price spike.

Vitol CEO: Bunker Fuel Market to Convert to LNG in Next 10 Years

The global bunker fuel market is expected to convert substantially to LNG over the next 10 years, said Russell Hardy, chief executive of the world's largest independent oil trader, Vitol.

EU Proposes Permanent Scheme for Joint Gas Purchases

The European Commission has proposed making the EU's scheme for joint gas purchases permanent, after demand exceeded expectations in the policy's first tenders to seek non-Russian fuel, a document showed, and officials told Reuters.

Black & Veatch Expects Floating LNG Capacity to More Than Quadruple by 2030

U.S.-based engineering and construction group Black & Veatch (B&V) said on Monday it expects global floating LNG capacity to increase more than four-fold to 46.4 million metric tons per annum (MTPA) by 2030, as they have become competitive with fixed terminals for smaller fields.

Israel, Cyprus and Greece Mull Energy Pacts to Tap Regional Gas

The leaders of Israel, Greece and Cyprus pledged to deepen their energy cooperation on Monday and explore ways to get East Mediterranean gas to Europe, as well as connect electricity grids.

US Backs Chevron's Subsea Pipeline Plan for Aphrodite Gas Field Amid Cyprus Dispute

Washington has weighed into a dispute between Cyprus and international companies led by Chevron over how to develop a giant offshore gas field, backing the U.S. company's plan to link it to neighboring Egypt, two industry sources and a U.S. source said on Friday.

Eni, Snam Set Ambitions for Italy's First Carbon Storage Project

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology is key to ensuring the survival and the competitiveness in Italy of industries including steel, cement and chemicals, energy group Eni and gas grid operator Snam said on Friday.

Global News August 2023

Latest industry developments from around the world!

EU to Open Third Round of Joint Gas Buying in September

The European Union will open its third round of joint gas buying next month, as the bloc moves to secure supplies in preparation for another winter with scarce Russian gas.

Hungary's MVM to Buy Gas from Turkey's BOTAS in 'Groundbreaking' Deal

Hungarian energy conglomerate MVM has agreed to buy about 300 million cubic meters of natural gas from Turkish energy company BOTAS.

Hungary to Receive LNG from Qatar Starting in 2027

Hungary can begin to receive shipments of LNG gas from Qatar in 2027, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto told a news conference on Friday.

German Government to Examine Finances of Private LNG Operator

The German government will examine the finances of Deutsche ReGas, the operator of a planned LNG terminal on the Baltic coast opposed by local authorities, it said in a response to a lawmaker seen by Reuters on Thursday.

Dutch Court Rules Huge Carbon Capture Project Can Go Ahead

The Netherlands' highest court on Wednesday ruled that construction of a major carbon capture project in the Rotterdam port area can go ahead, despite objections by environmental activists.

Portgas Preparing to Automate Gas Mix, New Pipeline Technologies

(P&GJ) — REN Portgás, one of Portugal’s leading natural gas distributors, upgraded to DNV’s Synergi Gas Automated Model Builder to boost quicker and better-informed decision-making as they prepare for the new energy mix.

Poland Successfully Repairs Leaked Druzhba Oil Pipeline

Polish pipeline operator PERN said on Tuesday that it had restored the Druzhba oil pipeline to full functionality as expected after discovering a leak.

Norway Approves Connection of Western Europe's Largest LNG Plant to Grid

Norway has approved a plan to connect Equinor's Hammerfest LNG plant to the national power grid in a bid to cut greenhouse gas emissions, despite local opposition, the government said on Tuesday.

Analysis: Surging U.S. Crude Oil Exports Disrupt European, Asian Prices

Surging U.S. crude exports in 2023 are pushing down oil prices in Europe and Asia, proving a key source of supply as producers cut output and sanctions on Russian crude disrupt trade flows.

SGN Project to Repurpose UK Gas Pipeline to Carry Hydrogen Gets Green Light

The $38 million project will trial 100% hydrogen gas through a 30-km (19-mile) decommissioned gas pipeline between Grangemouth and Granton in Scotland.

Tecnicas Reunidas, Ansaldo Energia to Develop RWE Hydrogen Plant in Germany

A consortium comprising Spain's Tecnicas Reunidas and Italy's Ansaldo Energia is set to develop a hydrogen-ready combined cycle power plant in Germany for utility RWE, the Spanish engineering firm said on Monday.

OMV Makes Austria’s Largest Natural Gas Discovery in 40 Years

(P&GJ) — OMV has announced the Wittau Tief-2a exploration well to be a confirmed new natural gas discovery – the country's largest natural gas discovery in 40 years. The OMV operated well is in Lower Austria and was drilled at a final depth of 5,000 meters after five months of operations.

BP Sign 10-Year LNG Supply Agreement with OMV

(P&GJ) — BP and OMV have signed a long-term sale and purchase agreement covering the supply of up to 1 million tonnes of LNG per year for ten years from 2026.

Germany's Updated Hydrogen Strategy Sees Heavy Reliance on Imported Fuel in Future

The German cabinet approved a new hydrogen strategy, setting guidelines for hydrogen production, transport infrastructure and market plans.

Spain's Enagas to Gauge Hydrogen Appetite as It Seeks EU Subsidies

Spanish natural gas grid operator Enagas is to start gathering data on hydrogen supply and demand as it moves forward with plans for national and international hydrogen pipelines it expects will get significant European Union subsidies.