Articles
Prelude FLNG finally returns
LNG cargoes have resumed from Shell’s floating LNG (FLNG) facility, offshore Western Australia.
Equinor goes large
Equinor announced that it had been selected to provide New York State with offshore wind power in one of the largest renewable energy procurements in US history.
UAE leads the way in solar power in the Middle East
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is pushing ahead with its transition to alternative fuels. According to a report from Deloitte the key drivers for the growth of the UAE solar sector are large scale government sponsored solar energy projects and a strong sovereign credit rating offering low risk for Independent Power Producers (IPPs) with Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). This is evident in the scale of projects that have already been completed or under construction
UAE Energy Minister believes oil demand could recover by the end of 2021
According to recent reports, United Arab Emirates Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei has commented on a potentially updated timeline for a return to form for global oil demand. He believes that global demand will make a somewhat optimistic return to pre-pandemic level by the end of 2021 or early 2022.
Energy minister pushes to diversify energy sources with 'hydrogen-ready' gas pipelines
After the EU turned down funding for natural gas energy infrastructure to focus on clean-hydrogen networks, Malta’s application for a proposed pipeline from Malta to Sicily was denied.
Mixed messages in Mozambique
Total only has a skeleton staff remaining at its LNG construction site in Afungi after evacuating most workers amid the worsening security situation in the Cabo Delgado province.
Expanding Texan footprint
Clearway Energy Group (CEG) announced that it had closed financing and commenced construction on its second largest windfarm in Texas.
Petrochemicals Group Sets up JV at Gas Chemical Complex
SIBUR Holding and China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec) have closed the deal to set up a joint venture (JV) at the Amur Gas Chemical Complex after obtaining all the necessary approvals from the regulators of both countries.
Refinery shutdowns continue, likely more in 2021
As the coronavirus pandemic decimated global demand in 2020, refineries around the world reacted immediately with a variety of methods to survive. Temporary shut ins, cold circulation, conversion to renewable production, and outright refinery closures all became commonplace as responses to the pandemic effect.
Partners move onshore US
Siemens Gamesa and Orsted have signed an agreement for their first US onshore project together. The 51-turbine, 298MW Haystack project in Wayne county, Nebraska is expected to be commissioned in the fourth quarter of 2021. The order also includes a 30-year, full-scope service and maintenance agreem..
Greece extends its import influence
DESFA, the operator of the Greece natural gas transmission system, has been awarded the operation and maintenance services of Kuwait’s newest LNG import terminal. The 11.5m t/y Al Zour LNG import terminal, currently under construction for 2021 will have eight storage tanks with a capacity of 225,00..
Pembina Ceases Plans for Canadian Petrochemical Project
Pembina Pipeline of Canada and Kuwait’s Petrochemical Industries Company through their joint venture, Canada Kuwait Petrochemical Limited Partnership, have announced that their $4.5 billion integrated propane dehydration plant (PDH) and polypropylene upgrading facility in Alberta would be indefinitely suspended until further notice. This follows another recent indefinite deferment for a major project in North America just last month with Formosa’s $9.4 billion Sunshine complex in Louisiana.
Tellurian shelves Permian Global Access Pipeline
Earlier this month, Tellurian Inc. withdrew its application from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for the planned 625-mile Permian Global Access Natural Gas Pipeline (PGAP).
Croatia poised to become Europe's next importer
Croatia’s first floating, storage and regasification unit (FSRU) has arrived at the terminal site on Krk Island in the Adriatic Sea. The LNG Croatia FSRU, formerly known as the LNG vessel Golar Viking, was converted in China and delivered in mid-September. It has just arrived from the 6.4m t/y Sagu..
Norwegians sign memorandum for large solar farm to add to Brazil’s capacity
Three Norwegian energy firms Scatec Solar, Equinor, and Hydro Energy have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the 9 December 2020 with the purpose to jointly develop a 480 MW solar power plant. The MoU provides a framework to realise the project on a site already secured in Rio Grande do Norte in Brazil by Scatec and Equinor. The MoU contemplates joint ownership and development of the project by the three parties and offtake of part of the production by Hydro. Subject to final agreement, the companies aim to reach an investment decision in 2021
The Refinery Restructuring Trend Continues Across Europe
Neste of Finland recently announced that it plans to shut in the refining operations at its 58,000 barrel per day Naantali refinery by the end of March 2021. This complex’s closure decision had been accelerated by the substantial decline in oil demand worldwide, in addition to competition from Asia and from environmental rulings.
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.
France has its sights on offshore
France’s highest court, the Council of State, has rejected an appeal against Iberdrola’s offshore windfarm project in Brittany, in the countries Northwest. Iberdrola is the sole owner of the planned 2.4 billion euro, 62-turbine, 496MW Saint-Brieuc windfarm, which will be located 16km off the French..
Egypt's export capacity rebound
Eni announced an agreement with its partners for the restart of the LNG plant in Damietta, Egypt. The Italian multinational oil and gas company signed a series of agreements with, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC), the Egyptian National Gas Holding Compan..
Samson Solar Energy Center is now fully under construction
Chicago based Invenergy is a leading privately held developer and operator of sustainable energy solutions has joined with 8 partners to create the Samson Solar Energy Center which will one of the largest solar power projects in the United States at 1,310 Megawatts (MW) when fully complete in 2023.
China Could Surpass U.S. as Top Refiner Next Year
According to the International Energy Agency, China is expected to overtake the United States as the largest refinery in the world as early as 2021. Asian economies have been rebounding from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, and China is adding capacity as demand is building in that region.
Enbridge invests in additional solar facilities for a lower-carbon future
In an effort to address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions Enbridge Inc., is developing a second solar facility in Pennsylvania to help power the Heidlersburg Compressor Station supplying the Texas Eastern Transmission Pipeline.
Vietnam see steady solar growth
An 8 percent per year electricity demand growth is expected in Vietnam and power consumption is said to rise from 275 terrawatt hours (TWh) this year to around 630 TWh in 2030, as a result the country has already invested heavily in 18GW of coal-fired power projects, these slated to been in place by the middle of the decade. Despite this the country has turned to its abundant natural resources of hydro, wind, and solar potential to fill additional demand.
Developing India's wind potential
The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) announced that it will launch GWEC India to help develop India’s vast wind power potential and support green recovery. India is the world’s fourth largest onshore wind market, after China, US and Germany, with nearly 38GW of installed capacity according to Inte..
Plaquemines ventures forth
Venture Global LNG announced that it had awarded KBR the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for Phase I of the Plaquemines LNG export project. The planned 21.6m t/y plant in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana on the Gulf of Mexico coast, approximately 20 miles south of New Orleans,..
COVID-19 Delays $9.4 Billion Petrochemical Complex in Louisiana Indefinitely
Formosa Plastics Group subsidiary FG LA announced on November 24 that work on the company’s multiphase Sunshine petrochemical project in Louisiana had been indefinitely suspended with no new timeline in place. This is believed to be the first significant project to be deferred at this level due to the continuing impact felt from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Green industrial revolution in UK but does solar count
Despite the ongoing social and economic issues surrounding Covid-19 the United Kingdom government has issues its plans for a green industrial revolution. The policy paper announced by the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has a slogan of “Building back better, supporting green jobs, and accelerating our path to net zero”
The UK's Green Industrial Revolution
The UK’s Green Industrial Revolution The UK recently announced an ambitious 10-point plan for a Green Industrial Revolution. Including clean energy, the blueprint will allow the UK to forge ahead with eradicating its contribution to climate change by 2050. Central to the plan is the further develo..
Italy Pens Draft for National Hydrogen Strategy
Italy has released a draft National Hydrogen Strategy in an ongoing effort to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and invest in renewable energy.
Energia Costa Azul reaches FID
Energia Costa Azul reaches FID Sempra Energy announced that its subsidiary ECA Liquefaction (ECA LNG), a joint venture between Sempra LNG and Infraestructura Energetica Nova (IEnova), had reached a final investment decision (FID) for the development, construction and operation of the ECA LNG Phase ..
