LNG

Sonatrach, the Algerian LNG producer, has chosen Petrofac, a UK-based energy services provider, and Indonesia’s IKPT to build a new LNG Train after the partners were the lowest bidders in a tender against experienced players such as Japan’s Chiyoda Corp. and France’s Technip.

Qatar’s Energy Minister said at a naming ceremony in South Korea for the world’s largest LNG carrier “Mozah” that the completion of the ship proves that the country’s concentration on “mega projects” for LNG carriers and production Trains has been a success.

StatoilHydro said its Snøhvit LNG plant in northern Norway is operational again after a two-month shutdown for a major overhaul, though Europe’s first export project will continue to run at a much reduced capacity for another year.

France’s Total, Royal Dutch Shell and Spain’s Repsol have all now declined to move forward on planned LNG projects linked to Iran’s huge South Pars gas field because of the Iranian stand-off with the United Nations over its nuclear programme.