Third Qatari LNG tanker crosses Hormuz en route to China
A third Qatari LNG tanker has transited the Strait of Hormuz bound for China after Qatari mediators arrived in Tehran to help broker a deal to end the US-Iran conflict. The vessel, Al Sahla, is scheduled to arrive at China’s Tianjin LNG terminal on June 14, according to LSEG shipping data.
Singapore secured sufficient LNG to last until year-end
Singapore has secured enough LNG from outside the Middle East to last through the end of this year, as state-owned buyer GasCo accelerated spot purchases to replace cargoes affected by disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz. Negotiations are underway for long-term offtake from the US, Australia and Canada.
Equinor flags EU gas shortfall risk
Equinor has warned Europe could face a critical gas stock shortfall if disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz lasts one to three months, as low inventories and distorted prices slow replacement flows. CEO Anders Opedal said Norway has “no spare oil and gas capacity,” as tighter market increase buying interest in Equinor’s own exports, notably LNG.
Cyprus gas to be commercialized via Egypt LNG route
QatarEnergy, ExxonMobil and Egypt have agreed to assess commercializing Cyprus gas discoveries via Egypt’s existing LNG infrastructure. Supply from the Aphrodite discovery, estimated at 4.5 trillion tcf, will be routed to Egypt’s underutilized liquefaction plants at Idku and Damietta, with 12.2 mtpa capacity combined.
Feedgas for US LNG plunges despite Golden Pass return
Volumes of natural gas feeding the nine major US LNG export terminals are sliding towards a 16-week low, even as ExxonMobil/QatarEnergies’ Golden Pass terminal returns from maintenance, according to LSEG data.
Inpex seals preliminary Abadi LNG offtake with BP, Shell
Japanese utility Inpex has signed preliminary deals with BP and Shell Eastern Trading, as well as the Indonesian companies PLN Energi and Perusahaan Gas Negara, to offtake LNG from the 9.5 mtpa Abadi liquefaction project. The accords take the project closer to a final investment decision (FID) in 2027.
Shipping – biggest obstacle to resume Qatari LNG flows
QatarEnergy CEO Saad al-Kaabi has identified shipping logistics as the biggest hindrance to resuming LNG exports from Ras Laffan once the Strait of Hormuz reopens, underlining tight tanker availability and routing constraints may impact the recovery of one of the world’s largest LNG export terminals.
KEPCO upgrades Himeji No.1
Kansai Electric, better known as KEPCO, is planning to renew Himeji No.1 Power Station in western Japan with high-efficiency combined cycle units to increase output and lower emission. Himeji No.1 is an LNG-fuelled plant that has been in operation for over 30 years, and the repowering is meant to raise output from 1,442 MW to 1,950 MW and thermal efficiency from 54% to about 63%. Start of commercial operation is planned for fiscal 2033.
Workers walk out at Woodside’s NWS and Pluto LNG plants
Maintenance workers at Woodside Energy’s North West Shelf and Pluto LNG export plants in Australia went on strike late Wednesday after talks with contractor UGL collapsed. The NWS terminal in Karratha produces 14.3 mtpa of LNG, while Pluto has a capacity of 4.9 mtpa, making them a material source of Australian LNG supply.
UK waives sanctions on Russian LNG shipping
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.
