LNG

Britain has eased restrictions on Russian LNG shipping by issuing a temporary licence for cargoes from the Sakhalin-2 and Yamal terminals bound for third countries, as Whitehall responds to tighter gas markets and soaring energy prices. The carve-out runs until January 1, 2027, and only applies to contracts with a duration of one year or less.

European gas prices have risen above $500 per thousand cubic meters (mcm) reflecting a rise in Henry Hub prices driven by a sharp increase in US LNG exports and cold winter weather.

British energy regulator Ofgem today approved the first £28 billion ($37.33 billion) of a total £90 billion of investment in UK power and gas network companies – including greater capabilities for LNG imports.

The UK government is rescinding its $1.15 billion financial backing for the Mozambique LNG project, citing increased risks, while the Netherlands withdrew $1.1 billion in insurance support. The decisions deal a blow to TotalEnergies efforts to restart construction on the $20 billion project.

LNG remains central to Britain’s energy security though the nation’s gas system faces an “emerging risk” to supply, the National Energy System Operator (NESO) warns. Imported LNG helps cushion the network during winter peaks, but NESO’s latest Gas Security of Supply Assessment urges the government to prepare for potential disruptions.

Verso Energy has reserved a site for a new plant to produce hydrogen (H2) and biogenic synthetic fuels at the Port of Oulu, in northern Finland. Similar production sites exist in various parts of France, and Verso's synfuels production process combines green H2 with carbon dixoide (CO2) recovered from nearby paper and pulp mills.

Electricity in Finland is among the cheapest in Europe: In the first half of 2024, the price of electricity for non-household customers in Finland was the lowest in the European Union at just €0.0939  per kilowatt-hour (€/kWh), given that most of it is derived from hydropower plants.

Using this electricity to produce H2 and related biogenic synfuels is becoming a lucrative business, not least because offtaker are situated very close to northern Finland - just a short shipping distance away across the Baltic Sea in Germany, Poland and Denmark, as well as in the Netherlands and the UK.

Cheap electricity, large talent pool

Asked why Verso chose Oulo as a location for its latest hydrogen plant, CEO Antoine Huard said "the region around the Finish port town is attractive because it provides an abundance of affordable renewable energy and biogenic carbon dioxide.”

In addition, experienced chemical researchers at Oulo University alongside large R&D investments in the area, ensure a “sufficient talent pool,” the Verso CEO said, and this offers the French company potential customers and subcontractors.

And last but not least, the Port of Oulu, with its rail and road links, provides good connections to the rest of the world.

H2-derivative projects already set up

Several other hydrogen production and H2 derivative projects have already been initiated in the greater Oulu region: Gasgrid Finland is planning to establish a hydrogen transport infrastructure to connect Oulu’s hydrogen production with the rest of Finland and other countries in northern Europe.

Verso Energy is hence keen to get its project off the ground, though Mr Huard cautioned the latest “land reservation is only a preliminary decision,” – a final investment decision (FID) will be taken at a later stage.