In this issue

 

Free ReadAnticipating a speedy energy transition globally, the global classification society DVN GV says upstream players are adapting to this trend by shifting to faster, leaner and cleaner hydrocarbon production techniques.…
Coal-to-gas switch policies in China’s energy sector are expected to boost the country’s LNG demand by a 12 million tons in 2018, exceeding last year’s record growth of 8 mt. Already…
AES Colón – a $1.15 billion LNG import terminal and adjacent combined-cycle power plant – is being fast-tracked in Panama. The project comprises the first LNG regas terminal in Central…
Free ReadThe International Energy Agency (IEA) has called on Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, the UEA, Nigeria and Venezuela to step up efforts to diversify their economies to be able to cope…
Since the Trump administration threatened fresh sanctions against Iran, the oil-rich country has substantially scaled down its production and exports of crude oil and natural gas. In May 2018, the…
Unplanned downtime can cost an LNG facility as much as $4 million per day. With potential costs so high, profitability is largely linked with unplanned downtime. According to GE Power…
Free ReadDresser-Rand, part of Siemens Group, has commissioned an LNGo-HP (high-pressure) micro-scale natural gas liquefaction system for Altagas Ltd. in Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Canada. Producing approximately 30,000 gallons of LNG…
Sempra Energy, developer of the Cameron LNG export plant in Louisiana, has received its draft environmental impact statement from regulators for the proposed Port Arthur LNG project in Texas, comprising the…
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has approved Williams’ request to place its Atlantic Sunrise pipeline project into full service. Operations commenced in early October, increasing design capacity of the Transco…
Free ReadAs the US-China trade war escalates, Beijing says it has “no chance but to retaliate” new trade tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. Effective September 24, the Chinese President Xi…
Before the turn of 2018/19, Germany will decide where to locate its first LNG import terminal. The German economy and energy minister Altmaier announced this move as “a gesture to…
Exports of natural gas from the U.S. to Mexico by pipeline exceeded 5 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) for the first time in July 2018, according to Genscape data,…
Free ReadTrinidad and Tobago is increasing sources of feed-gas for the Atlantic LNG plant at Point Fortin on Trinidad. To that end, the government of Trinidad and Tobago has signed an…
Global gas trade expanded last year by 63 billion cubic metres, or 6.2%, with growth in LNG outpacing growth in pipeline trading, according to the latest BP Statistical Review of…

News Nudges

Canada to export Alberta oil via BC

Canada has moved closer to unlocking a new Pacific Coast crude outlet from Alberta while fast-tracking British Columbia LNG projects with the aim of tripping LNG production and export beyond 2030. Prime Minister Mark Carney said a proposed pipeline capable of carrying about 1 million barrels per day could begin construction in September 2027, as Ottawa and Alberta lined up support for the project. The route would run through southern British Columbia to the Pacific coast, giving Canadian crude a shorter path to Asian buyers and reducing reliance on the United States, officials said. The new pipeline, with 1 million barrels per day throughput, could turn Canada into a global oil exporter — in addition to LNG. British Columbia already has several LNG projects at different stages, including LNG Canada in Kitimat, Woodfibre LNG near Squamish and expansions tied to Tilbury LNG and related pipeline infrastructure. Together, the Alberta-to-BC pipeline plan and LNG acceleration signal a broader federal strategy to scale up Canada’s energy exports without depending solely on U.S. demand. Canada used to sell almost its entire surplus oil and gas production to its large southern neighbour.