LNG

With five US LNG export projects set to start operations and ramp up production by the end of 2027, the country’s total gas export capacity is forecast to grow nearly 30%. According to EIA data, exports are bound to rise 1.9 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) in 2026 to average 17.0 Bcf/d and increase by an additional 1.5 Bcf/d) in 2027.

Some 36 LNGCs left US ports during the week ending 12^th August, a rise of five week-on-week.

Their LNG-carrying capacity was 134 bill cu ft, up 15 bill from the week before.

Eight vessels sailed from Sabine Pass, seven from Corpus Christi, six from Plaquemines, five from Freeport, four from Cameron, three from Calcasieu Pass, two from Elba Island, and one from Cove Point, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Vietnamese state-controlled Petrovietnam Gas (PV Gas) is sounding out suppliers for a possible tender to procure LNG under a five-year contract, according to a document seen by Reuters.

If agreed, it ‌would be Vietnam's second term contract after a deal with Shell earlier this year, as the Southeast Asian manufacturing hub builds an LNG industry from scratch to help meet growing energy demand.

The request sent in June to potential suppliers under a ‘market sounding exercise’ is for the supply of 250,000-450,000 tonnes to be delivered to the Thi  Vai ‌Terminal, with deliveries starting in January, 2027 or later, the document said.

No tender has been announced yet.

In January, 2026 PV Gas awarded its first term contract to Shell, which will deliver the cargoes to Vietnam from 2027 to 2031, under a five-year supply deal for ‌about 400,000 tonnes per year.

Vietnam, which is seeking to reduce its reliance on coal and lower its carbon emissions, has two LNG terminals, both located in the south of the country, which have been supplied under spot contracts.

Operated by PV GAS, Thi Vai can handle up to 1 mill tonnes per year and is being expanded to 3 mill tonnes. It supplies two power plants with ‌combined capacity of 1.5 GW.

The other terminal, Cai Mep Terminal owned by AG&P LNG, has a capacity of 3 mill tonnes per year.

The UK’s largest  LNG terminal operator, Grain LNG, a 50/50 joint venture between Centrica and Energy Capital Partners (ECP), has appointed energy veteran, Peter Abdo as CEO, effective 1^st October.

Abdo has had more than 30 years of experience across the global LNG, natural gas, power and commodities markets.

He was most recently Uniper’s CCO, LNG and Global Origination, where he led the company's global LNG activities, including trading, origination and shipping.

px Group has been appointed by New Providence Gas as the operations and maintenance partner for the LNG import and regasification terminal under development at Clifton Pier in New Providence, The Bahamas.

px is a portfolio company of Ara Partners, a private equity and infrastructure firm focused on de-carbonising the industrial economy.

Under the multi-year agreement, px will support commissioning and operational readiness before assuming responsibility for the terminal’s long-term operation and maintenance.

This contract expands px Group’s presence in the Americas and adds a strategically important LNG asset to its international operations portfolio, the company said.

New Providence Gas is a joint venture between Shell, which holds a 40% interest, and Sun Oil, a subsidiary of FOCOL Holdings, which holds the remaining 60%.

The terminal is being developed to receive, store and regasify LNG for delivery as natural gas to power-generation facilities at New Providence, utilising an ECOnnect jettyless infrastrucure system.

Romania's state-controlled gas transmission operator, Transgaz has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with US-based developer Argent LNG to explore a potential equity investment in the development of its LNG export terminal in Port Fourchon, Louisiana.

Argent LNG is developing an export terminal at Port Fourchon with a planned capacity of 25 mill tonnes per year. The project is expected to deliver its first commercial cargo in 2030.

The non-binding agreement, signed at Transgaz's headquarters in Bucharest, establishes a framework for negotiations on a possible stake in Argent LNG alongside other US investors.

According to the companies, this initiative would allow Transgaz to strengthen its long-term access to US LNG supplies, while participating directly in the development of a large North American LNG export facility.

As well as securing LNG supplies, the MoU envisages using Romania's gas transmission network as a regional transit corridor for US LNG destined for the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine and other Central and Eastern European countries, including Hungary, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Germany.

Some 31 LNGCs sailed from US export terminals during the week ending 5^th August, down four week-on-week.

Their LNG-carrying capacity was 119 bill cu ft, a drop of 16 bill cu ft from the previous week.

Seven vessels departed from Sabine Pass, six from Plaquemines, five from Corpus Christi, four from Cameron, three from Calcasieu Pass, two each from Elba Island and Freeport, and one each from Cove Point and Golden Pass terminals, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).

The fall in the number of sailings could be due to maintenance programmes underway at various plants.

US FSRU owner, Excelerate Energy has bought an LNGC for around $79 mill.

The company acquired the 170,000 cu m, 2010-built ‘Methane Mickie Harper’ from Japan's Meiji Shipping.

The tri-fuel diesel-electric (TFDE) vessel is to be converted into an FSRU.

This deal was seen as part of Excelerate's broader initiative to expand its FSRU and infrastructure capabilities. 

Reports were circulating that QatarEnergy had restarted commissioning work for the first liquefaction train of the giant North Field East (NFE) $28.75 bill LNG expansion project, following the recent resumption of construction work. 

As planned, NFE will consist of four new 8 mill tonnes per annum trains, totaling 32 mill tonnes per annum of new capacity.

Before the Middle East conflict, Qatar was aiming to lift its export capacity from 77 mill tonnes per annum to 110 mill tonnes, utilising the NFE project. The company also had further plans to increase the capacity to 142 mill tonnes per annum.

Chiyoda and Technip Energies were known to be involved in NFE’s development and were thought to have restarted construction work. 

Golar LNG Limited has closed a new $600 mill senior secured revolving credit facility (RCF).

The RCF further strengthens Golar’s balance sheet flexibility and facilitates for further FLNG growth, the company claimed.

It was secured by Golar’s investment in the MKII FLNG currently being converted in China to serve a 20-year contract with Argentina’s Southern Energy.

The facility received strong backing from a consortium of banks including ABN AMRO, Citibank, Danske Bank and Standard Chartered Bank, Golar said.

Malaysia’s PETRONET’s shipping arm, MISC has secured a 10-year contract from Malaysia LNG (MLNG) to provide long-term LNG shipping services.

In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, MISC said it had received a letter of award from MLNG for the vessel's long-term timecharter, with the operation expected to start in 2028.

As a result, MISC has signed a  contract with China's Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding to build a small-scale 18,000 cu m LNGC.

"The project is strategically important as it supports PETRONAS' continued LNG supply to Sendai City, Japan, reinforcing a long-standing partnership of nearly 30 years and ensuring the reliable delivery of LNG to meet the customer's long-term energy needs,” MISC said in the filing.

Some 35 LNGCs sailed from US terminals during the week ending 29^th July.

The LNG-carrying capacity of the vessels was 135 bill cu ft, a rise of 9 bill cu ft from the previous week.

Seven vessels each departed from Corpus Christi, Plaquemines, and Sabine Pass; four each from Calcasieu Pass and Freeport; three from Cameron; two from Cove Point; and one from Golden Pass.

Western LNG has awarded Dutch offshore specialist Allseas the contract to install the subsea section of the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission (PRGT) pipeline in northwest British Columbia, Canada. The 50-kilometre underwater segment will connect the onshore transmission system to the planned Ksi Lisims floating LNG terminal on Pearse Island. Offshore installation work is scheduled for 2029, using pipelay vessels Solitaire and Sandpiper.

European EPC contractor MT Group has been contracted by the e Cobra IS, Sener consortium to implement balance of plant infrastructure at the Brunsbüttel LNG terminal, with project completion scheduled for 2027. Developed by German LNG Terminal, the Brunsbüttel facility will have an initial regasification capacity of up to 10 Bcm/y.

PetroChina is considering divesting part of its 15% share in LNG Canada Development Inc. in Kitimat, British Columbia, to help finance a planned Phase 2 expansion of the liquefaction project, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg. The Chinese state-owned producer, which is working with an adviser to gauge buyer interest, may reduce its holding gradually through several smaller transactions.

Italian contractor Saipem has revised down its 2026 earnings guidance to factor in extra costs related to the conflict in the Middle East. EBITDA is now forecast at €1.75 billion, down from previously expected €1.9 billion, as the Milan-based group had to spend around €70 million in the first half to improve security for its staff ​in the Persian Gulf region and to overcome ​logistical challenges related to the Strait of Hormuz blockade.

Wärtsilä has signed an eight-year Lifecycle Agreement with Carnival Corp covering four LNG-powered cruise ships, including two vessels currently under construction. The deal covers ships operating under the Princess Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line brands.

Japanese shipbuilders are set to draw new investment as Tokyo looks to revive the sector, with industry groups backing a plan for roughly 350 billion yen in capital spending and a broader public-private fund of more than 1 trillion yen to double output by around 2035. The push also includes efforts to modernize yards and revive LNG carrier construction.

GreenLine Mobility Solutions has partnered with Dabur India to deploy LNG-fuelled trucks across the FMCG company’s logistics network. More than 1,000 LNG- and electric-powered heavy trucks are operated across India by GreenLine with the collaboration helping to cut long-haul road freight emissions in sectors including consumer goods, steel and mining.

ADNOC has taken a $6.2 billion final investment decision on the Umm Shaif Gas Cap project in Abu Dhabi with partners TotalEnergies, Eni and CNPC. The project will unlock more than 600 million standard cubic feet per day of gas and associated liquids by 2030, or nearly 10% of current UAE gas consumption. It also builds on ADNOC’s launch of a global LNG marketing and trading platform in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), which is targeting 47mtpa of combined marketable LNG capacity by 2035.

A tropical depression that could strengthen into Tropical Storm Bertha is increasing the risk of temporary LNG shipping and offshore logistics delays, according to NGI. The system is being monitored closely, with any disruptions hoped to be limited and short-lived.

Bio-LNG produced from biomethane and liquefied at the Gate terminal in Rotterdam will be supplied by Uniper to Q1 Energy as a lower-emissions fuel for Germany’s heavy-duty transport sector. Uniper will act as owner, importer and distributor of the bio-LNG, managing the full supply chain and claiming the associated greenhouse gas quota credits, while Q1 Energy will handle delivery to service stations based on demand. The bio-LNG is transported in ISO tank containers from Rotterdam to a central storage site in Germany, from where Q1 distributes it to filling stations. In the production process, carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulphide are removed to generate gas equivalent in quality to natural gas. The resulting biomethane can be fed into the gas grid for delivery to any offtake point or used within existing LNG infrastructure. 

French oil major TotalEnergies expects all its division to post higher second quarter profits, except LNG, where earnings will fall sharply, with the company blaming “an underperformance in gas trading in a broadly flat to declining European [gas] market.” JP Morgan analysts noted TotalEnergies’ rivals in the UK fared better on LNG trading, indicating Total management might decide to increase its share buyback to $2 billion, from the earlier announced $1.5 billion.

Turkey has started expanding its Marmara Ereğlisi LNG import terminal with construction of a fourth storage tank, state operator BOTAŞ said. The new 160,000-cubic-meter tank will lift total LNG storage capacity to 415,000 cubic meters from 255,000 cubic meters. Works began on July 7, with addition of the fourth storage tank set to increase the terminal’s total capacity by about 63%, once in operation around 2029.

Golar LNG has awarded Axess Group new contracts to support two floating LNG units slated for deployment at Argentina's LNG export project on the Atlantic coast For the MK II FLNG, Axess will develop the unit's maintenance management system and provide integrity revalidation for the Hilli FLNG ahead of its redeployment. The contracts helps advance Golar's Argentina LNG project, with the MK II FLNG vessel scheduled for delivery in late 2027.

Gulf South Pipeline’s Texas Gateway Project has entered the federal FAST-41 permitting program, accelerating federal review of the proposed 155-mile pipeline that would add 1.45 Bcf/d of natural gas transportation capacity between East Texas and the Louisiana Gulf Coast. If completed, the added takeaway capacity would also help supply expanding U.S. LNG export facilities and bolster feedgas availability for new projects.

French contractor GTT has received an order from Samsung Heavy Industries to design the cryogenic membrane tanks for Delfin FLNG 1, the first US floating liquefaction and export unit with a planned capacity of 4.4 mtpa. Targeting a 2029 start-up with an estimated capital cost of $2.3 billion, Delfin FLNG has long-term offtake agreements in place with Germany's SEFE, Switzerland-based Gunvor Group, and New York-based commodity trader Hartree Partners.

Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz resumes, with 22 Japan-linked ships, including six large crude oil tankers and several LNG carriers, transited the strait to exit between July 7 and 9, transport minister Yasushi Kaneko said at a news conference in Tokyo. The number of Japan-flagged vessels in the Gulf has fallen from 45 to just four, with shipowners declining to comment on safety precautions for the crew.

Kinetics, a Karpowership initiative, has begun construction of its first high-capacity floating storage and regasification unit, LNGT Karadeniz, at Seatrium’s Tuas Boulevard yard in Singapore. The vessel will provide up to 600 million standard cubic feet per day of regasification capacity.

The Private Department of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalid Al Nahyan has committed to slash out $1.13 billion on MidOcean Energy, marking its first entry into the global LNG sector. The investment strengthens MidOcean's capital base and supports its strategy to expand its diversified global LNG portfolio

Denmark-based Svanehøj has signed a contract with Drydocks World Dubai to supply LTD gauging systems for the conversion of the LNG carrier LNG Bayelsa into the floating storage unit (FSU) Cap Lopez. Drydocks World Dubai sees strong demand for such conversions amid rising global interest in floating LNG units for flexible gas supply in off-grid regions.

XRG, the investment arm of ADNOC, has acquired an additional stake in Trains 4 and 5 at the Rio Grande LNG at the Port of Brownsville, Texas. With the latest deal, XRG bought an additional 7.6% stake in both trains from a Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) vehicle owned by BlackRock, building on its initial purchase of an indirect 11.7% interest in Trains 1, 2 and 3, also through GIP.

Malaysia’s Petronas has taken delivery of the newbuilt LNG carrier Puteri Kedah, following delivery of a the similar-sized Puteri Johor LNGC on late May. Both vessels are owned by the joint venture companies of ‘K’ LINE.

Zululand Energy Terminal (ZET) has launched an expression of interest process for engineering, procurement and construction contractors for its planned $1 billion LNG import terminal at Richards Bay in South Africa, according to the project’s website. The first phase will include about 3 mtpa of regasification capacity, with later expansion plans to add more storage and capacity. The project is being developed by Vopak Terminal Durban and Transnet Pipelines.

Stephanie Duran has been appointed Acting CEO of the Asia Natural Gas and Energy Association (ANGEA), succeeding Paul Everingham who stepped down on June 30. The leadership change comes as the regional industry group continues to advocate for natural gas and LNG as key transition fuels in Asia’s energy mix.

Gulfstream LNG, an US greenfield project, is advancing through FERC’s pre-filing review, while Texas LNG has already moved further along in the regulatory process and is working toward final authorization.

China’s LNG imports in June are expected to be broadly unchanged from a year earlier at around 5.29 million tonnes, according to Kpler data cited by Bloomberg. The forecast implies a month-on-month increase from May imports of 4.9 million tonnes, as demand strengthens ahead of peak summer cooling, driven by higher air-conditioning use.

The Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) sees global gas markets are on track to stabilize during the third quarter as the Strait of Hormuz reopens following the U.S.-Iran ceasefire. If the Strait stays open, shipping will begin to re-stabilise and rates will recede quickly, Philip Mshelbila, GEFC secretary general said at a Reuters forum.

Modec has won a contract to supply an internal turret mooring system for Eni’s Coral Norte floating LNG project offshore Mozambique. The system will be provided through MODEC’s SOFEC unit, with the Japanese offshore services group working alongside the Technip Energies-JGC joint venture. Coral Norte is Eni’s second FLNG development in Mozambique, building on the existing Coral South project in the Rovuma Basin.

GE Vernova has secured an order to supply two 9HA.02 gas turbines and two H78 generators for Vietnam Electricity’s (EVN) Quang Trach II LNG-fuelled power plant, a combined-cycle facility expected to generate more than 1.6 GW. The plant, located in the Hon La Economic Zone in Quang Tri Province, is scheduled to begin commercial operations by 2030.

An explosion at QatarEnergies LNG processing site at Ras Laffan killed 13 people and left 66 people injured, Qatar’s energy minister Saad al-Kaab said. The cause of the blast was not immediately clear. Authorities are investigating the incident.

US energy developer, New Fortress Energy’s (NFE) UK restructuring plan (RP) has been approved at a hearing in the High Court of Justice of England and Wales.

The plan companies were granted an order sanctioning the UK RP, which are two inter-conditional restructuring plans proposed by each of the companies.

A sanction order will shortly be filed with the Registrar of Companies and the UK RP will become effective in accordance with its terms.

The RP concerns its subsidiaries, NFE Global Holdings and NFE Brazil Newco, and certain of NFE RP creditors.

Creditors showed overwhelming support for the UK RP with 99% of voting in favour of the plan and unanimous consent obtained in nearly all classes of plan creditors, NFE claimed.

A hearing before the US Bankruptcy Court of the Southern District of New York to confirm the recognition of the UK RP will be held on 26^th June, 2026.

The UK RP transactions are expected to be implemented by the third quarter of this year, subject to the satisfaction of customary conditions and regulatory approvals.

Southeast Asian nations have agreed deepen cooperation in renewable energy, natural gas and LNG, though fell short on specifying binding targets or projects. Analysts say ASEAN’s emphasis on LNG reflects both immediate energy security concerns and longer-term transition strategies.  Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines, are increasing LNG import capacity to offset declining domestic gas production, reduce reliance on coal while transitioning to a lower-carbon energy system.

Australian unions have ceased all strike actions at Ichthys LNG onshore and offshore facilities, having reached a pay deal with Japan’s Inpex. The walkout began on June 2 and had forced Inpex to shut one of two liquefaction trains at its plant in Darwin this week.

US energy major Glenfarne has signed a letter of intent (LoI) with the Alaskan utility Chugach Electric Association to advance a gas supply deal tied to the $44 billion Alaska LNG development. Chugach wants to source North Slope gas via the Alaska gas pipeline, designated to meet Alaska’s domestic needs and supply feedgas to produce 20 mtpa of LNG for export.

Danish energy trader InCommodites, backed by Goldman Sachs, is preparing to make a foray into physical gas markets in the United States and Canada, venturing beyond its core European power and gas trading business. The Aarhus-headquartered company reported a sharp drop in 2025 net profit to €2.95 million, down from nearly €73 million a year earlier, citing tighter trading margins and increased upfront investment in building out trading desks in the US and Asia.

Saipem has shipped a key offshore platform jacket for Romania’s Neptun Deep project, led by OMV Petrom and Romgaz with up to €4 billion investment combined. Neptun Deep is expected to produce about 100 bcm of natural gas, bolstering Eastern Europe’s energy security and reducing dependence on imported LNG.

Italy’s Fincantieri has said it will maintain a “warm” production line for LNG bunker barges and specialized commercial vessels, signalling continued readiness to meet demand in alternative marine fuels. The Trieste-headquartered company is also targeting US naval shipbuilding as part of its strategic expansion. 

Five companies – Equinor, Gasum, Ignitis, Latvenergo and Naftogaz – have booked more than 20 TWh, or around 71% of the offered regasification capacity at the Klaipėda LNG terminal in Lithuania. About 12 TWh were allocated until 2040 ad the remaining 8 TWh through 2044, marking a decisive step in securing long-term gas supply for the Baltic region. Klaipėda LNG, also called FSRU Independence, has a regas capacity of 3.75 bcm/y equalling about 3.12 mtpa.

Sempra’s Port Arthur Pipeline Louisiana Connector project is now complete and in-service, offering additional gas takeaway capacity for US Gulf Coast LNG export terminals along the US Gulf Coast. Port Arthur LNG Phase 1 is under construction and, when complete, will be able to process and ship up to 13 mtpa of LNG, according to project developers.