LNG

Russian LNG supplies to the European Union reached a record high last month, according to Russian media outlet TASS’ calculations, based on data from the European analytical centre Bruegel.

Since early January, French engineering group, GTT has won another eight orders for the design of containment systems to be fitted on board newbuilding LNGCs to date.

Belgian LNG and LPG player, EXMAR has been selected by Canada’s Cedar LNG Partners to provide marine and operational services for the developer’s newbuilding FLNG.

Cedar LNG, majority-owned by Canada’s Haisla Nation, in partnership with Pembina Pipeline Corp, will be the world’s first indigenous majority-owned LNG facility.

The plant, located in Kitimat, British Columbia, within Haisla Nation’s territory, will be powered by renewable electricity, making it one of the world’s lowest carbon intensity LNG facilities.

Cedar’s FLNG is currently under construction at Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI). 

EXMAR’s operations & maintenance contract will include the development of dedicated operational procedures for FLNG ‘megúgu’.

The Antwerp-based company’s teams will be involved in the different phases of the project, starting immediately during the FLNG’s construction and pre-operations, in close partnership with Cedar’s team.  

EXMAR’s CEO, Carl-Antoine Saverys, said: ”EXMAR is proud to be selected as strategic partner and embark on this unique, first of its kind FLNG project.

“Our unique track record for safe and reliable operations has been thoroughly valued by Cedar. We are confident this partnership will create a strong base for future FLNG operations, “ he said.  

Greek LNG importer, Atlantic Sea LNG Trade, a joint venture between gas supplier DEPA and construction group Aktor, is negotiating to secure up to 15 bill cu m of ‌US LNG annually for 20 years to supply southern Europe, its CEO told Reuters.

The New Zealand Government is to sign a contract to build an LNG import plant.

A ceremony was recently held in Pointe Noire to mark the first LNG cargo from the ‘Nguya’ FLNG.

Asian spot LNG prices fell last week from a nine-week high and ‍a three-week hike, as mild weather and healthy storage weighed on demand.

Trinidad and Tobago LNG producer Atlantic LNG plans to shut its 6 mill tonne per annum Train 4 for up to 50 days in May and June for extensive maintenance and repairs, according to sources talking with newswires.

Global LNG freight rates remained relatively steady last week, with Atlantic rates assessed at $11,500 per day, and Pacific rates at $29,250 per day, Sparks Commodities analyst, Qasim Afghan said.

The US front-month arbitrage to northeast Asia via the Cape of Good Hope narrowed but still pointed US prompt cargoes to Europe, Afghan added.

West African neighbours, Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon have signed an operating agreement for the extraction of gas from the Yoyo-Yolanda gas reserves.