LNG

Algeria gas hand-over

Sonatrach, the Algerian state energy company and operator of two LNG export plants on the North African coast, signed its acceptance of the Touat gas project in southwest Algeria being passed to Groupement Touat Gaz (GTG), a joint venture between Sonatrach and Neptune Energy of the UK. Operation of the facility had previously been in the hands of the project contractor, Spain’s Técnicas Reunidas, since the first gas was sent into the Algerian domestic gas pipeline network in September 2019.

Brunei LNG contract

Brunei LNG has awarded a 10-year contract to local company SPHI Marine to supply three tugboats and one anchor-handling tug to support shipping operations at the Lumut facility. SPHI said the contract included a five-year extension option. The Brunei-owned and flagged vessels will replace the tugs of Dutch firm Kotug, which are currently servicing the LNG plant.

Korea energy orders fall

South Korean shipyards are expecting new firm LNG carrier orders after Qatar booked construction berths, but no new orders have been received in 2020 for oil and gas platforms or offshore facilities, reflecting the depressed state of the energy market. Hyundai Heavy Industries has received no orders for offshore facilities since October 2018 when it signed a $450 million deal with a US oil developer LLOG Exploration to build a floating production system, according to the latest data.