INPEX snaps up JERA’s Ichthys stake, blocks MidOcean
Japan’s INPEX has exercised its pre‑emptive rights to buy JERA’s stake in the Ichthys LNG project in Australia, blocking JERA’s deal with MidOcean Energy to keep control of its flagship LNG asset.
Intercontinental Exchange adds LNG, power derivatives
The Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) has launched new options on the Japan-Korea Marker (JKM) liquefied natural gas benchmark, LNG balance-of-month freight futures and UK base electricity options. The contracts give energy companies, traders and utilities more targeted tools to manage price and freight exposure as LNG and electricity markets become increasingly interconnected.
New Caspian gas supply from 2029 to ease Turkey’s LNG dependence
TotalEnergies, SOCAR and Abu Dhabi’s XRG have taken a final investment decision on the full development of Azerbaijan’s offshore Absheron field, securing up to 6 bcm/y of new Caspian gas from 2029.
Edison will not receive Qatari LNG until early December
Italian utility Edison has confirmed that QatarEnergy will not deliver LNG cargoes to its Adriatic regasification terminal until the beginning of December 2026.
Total sees LNG sales rise 50%, confirms oil & gas production target
French major TotalEnergies on Monday confirmed its target to grow oil and gas production by around 3% a year through 2030, predominantly driven by LNG. Projects in Namibia, Nigeria, Libya, Malaysia, Mozambique and Papua New Guinea are meant to support the production plateau, while further growth of 2%-3% a year is planned between 2030 and 2035.
US LNG arbitrage points to Europe, affects vessel availability
The arbitrage for U.S. LNG cargoes is now favouring deliveries to Europe over northeast Asia, according to Spark Commodities, as shipping costs and regional price spreads render Atlantic-to-Pacific deliveries uneconomic for the remainder of 2026.
LNG helps EU power sector hit 80% zero-carbon by 2030
Europe’s power sector will cross the 80% zero-carbon generation threshold by 2030 but slower offshore wind deployment will keep gas-fired generation higher than previously forecast, creating a need for LNG imports.
US arbitrage reverses
As of the final week of September, the arbitrage for US LNG cargoes has effectively reversed, favouring deliveries to Europe over northeast Asia. Shippers have to pay record fees for Panama Canal transits, which is encouraging flexible cargoes from the US Gulf Coast to discharge in northwest Europe instead of Asia, shortening average voyage distances and increasing vessel availability in the Atlantic basin.
Shell, partners approve LNG Canada Phase 2
Shell – and its partners PETRONAS, PetroChina, Mitsubishi and KOGAS – have taken a final investment decision (FID) on the second phase of LNG Canada, approving a C$33 billion expansion that will double the British Columbia export terminal’s production capacity to 28 mtpa.
Tecnimont signs FEED contract for Argent LNG
Tecnimont USA has signed a Front‑End Engineering Design (FEED) contract with Argent LNG for the developer’s 25 mtpa export facility at Port Fourchon, Louisiana. First cargo is targeted for 2030.
