Japan: Restarting nuclear reactors may affect LPG demand and pricing

Several nuclear reactors which have been shut since the Fukushima disaster of 2011 have started coming back online. This has huge impacts on the use of LNG in these energy-demanding industries, as operators seem not to need the natural gas as much anymore. Read more here: https://www.lngindustry.com/liquefaction/21032018/japanese-company-turns-into-lng-seller-after-nuclear-reactor-restarts/

Norwegian saleable gas exceeds forecast figures in February

There was a slight increase in the saleable natural gas produced in Norway, 2% higher than forecasted by the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate. Although with preliminary values of 9.964 bcm, the figure represents the lowest production since September 2017. Production is forecast to increase during March to 11.005 bcm. Read more here: https://www.platts.com/latest-news/natural-gas/london/norwegian-saleable-gas-production-edges-higher-26917862

Russian Gazprom considers gas field options for gas supply to China

Gazprom has a 30-year sales agreement with China National Petroleum Corp. to supply 1.3 trillion cubic feet of natural gas yearly through the Power of Siberia gas pipeline, which is expected to come online in late 2022. The company said in a statement that “Efforts are being made to design the site structures and facilities for production purposes, along with gas transmission capacities” whilst officials from Gazprom discussed the development of the Kovyktinskoye field with other officials from the Irkutsk region in southeastern Siberia. Read more here: https://www.upi.com/Energy-News/2018/03/21/Russia-considers-gas-field-options-for-Chinese-pipeline/3071521629030/?utm_source=sec&utm_campaign=sl&utm_medium=1

Exxon still assessing damage to its Papua New Guinea Gas plant

Following a strong earthquake in Papua New Guinea last month which killed several people and halted operations at Exxon Mobil Corporation’s natural gas processing facility, the company has revealed that it is still assessing the extent of damage caused. The 7.5 magnitude quake, alongside several aftershocks and the closure of the Komo jungle airfield have made it difficult to assess and repair any damage, making it unclear when production and exports can resume. Read more here: https://www.lngindustry.com/liquefaction/21032018/japanese-company-turns-into-lng-seller-after-nuclear-reactor-restarts/

Tanzania: Fertilizer plants unable to operate due to unavailability of LNG

Three companies which are into the manufacturing of urea fertilizers have been unable to operate due to unavailability of natural gas which is the main and preferred feedstock for their operations. One of the companies, Helm AG of Germany, which showed interest in setting up a $1.5 billion fertilizer plant in Tanzania, with a project estimated to produce 2,200 tonnes of ammonia and 3,850 tonnes of urea, is yet to begin operations at full speed. The acting managing director of the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation, KapuulyaMusomba, has said that the companies agreed to purchase natural gas at $2.6 per cubic feet, but the price is too expensive for them to operate profitably. Read more here: http://allafrica.com/stories/201803210213.html