Asia-Pacific

Japan utilities LNG stockpiles slump as hot summer lifts air-conditioner demand

LNG stockpiles held by Japanese electric utilities hit more than one-year lows, as the hot summer drives usage of air-conditioners and typhoons delay cargoes, data released by Japan's industry ministry showed.

Australia strikes may impact short-term LNG prices

Global gas prices could rise in the short term if strikes at Australia's LNG plants take place, but markets are well balanced now with inventory levels keeping high in North Asia and Europe.

China LNG buyers expand trading after adding more US, Qatari contracts

China's LNG gas importers are starting up or expanding trading desks in London and Singapore to better manage their growing and diversified supply portfolios in an increasingly volatile global market.

TotalEnergies and INPEX to buy 100% of Timor Sea gas field interest from PTTEP

TotalEnergies has teamed up with INPEX to acquire 100% of the interest in the AC-RL7 permit in the Timor Sea from PTTEP.

Asian buyers may seek U.S. LNG if Australia worker disputes worsen

Major Asian buyers of LNG could seek U.S. cargoes in the coming weeks if worker-related disputes at key LNG facilities in Australia escalate.

Workers begin strike vote at Chevron's LNG facilities in Australia

Chevron faces the prospect of work stoppages or even an all-out strike at Australia's second largest LNG plant at Gorgon and at its Wheatstone operations after voting opened for a union ballot.

Russia's Arctic-2 LNG set to start production during 2023

Russia's Arctic-2 LNG project, in which China's CNOOC Ltd holds a 10% stake, is proceeding as planned with first phase to start operation during this year, senior company executives said.

Asian spot LNG prices rise to 5-month high on Australian strikes risk

Asian spot LNG prices rose this week to the highest level in five months, as the risk of possible industrial action at some Australian LNG facilities raised concerns over supply.

Abu Dhabi's ADNOC Gas signs 5-yr LNG supply deal with Japex

Abu Dhabi's ADNOC Gas said it has signed a five-year deal to supply LNG to Japan Petroleum Exploration Co.

Woodside, unions remain at odds over wages at Australia's largest LNG facility

Woodside Energy said "positive progress" was being made on wage disputes at Australia's largest LNG facility even as a union alliance said key differences remained ahead of further talks.

Turkmenistan rebukes Russia over 'gas union' comments

Turkmenistan warned Russia against trying to extend its influence over the Central Asia-China natural gas supply chain after Moscow said more countries could join its "gas union" with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

LNG's calm veneer stripped by Australia strike threat

The comfort that had characterized natural gas markets in Asia and Europe in recent months was shown to be a mere illusion by the threat of strike action at three major Australian LNG plants.

Indonesia's long-delayed major gas projects

A recent ownership shakeup at two major Indonesian gas projects has injected renewed hope in the country's upstream gas sector, as the country hopes to tap into its rich hydrocarbon resources amid global energy transition, but barriers remain.

Australia regulator clears way for strike vote at Chevron LNG plants

Australia's labor regulator cleared the way for strike action at Chevron's Wheatstone and Gorgon LNG facilities if workers vote in favor of such a step, fueling concerns the country's exports could be cut.

Asian LNG spot prices inch up as market eyes Australian strikes

Asian spot LNG prices inched up this week as the prospect of possible industrial action at Australian LNG facilities sparked fears it would fuel competition between Asian and European buyers for cargoes.

Pavilion Energy, CNOOC complete first bunker delivery to LNG-powered VLCC

Singapore's Pavilion Energy and China's CNOOC Gas and Power Group completed their first LNG ship-to-ship bunker operation for a very large crude carrier at China's Guangzhou port.

Chevron, Woodside in talks to avert Australian LNG strikes

Chevron and Woodside Energy Group are holding talks with unions to avert threatened strikes over pay and conditions at facilities that together supply about 10% of the LNG market.

Asian LNG spot prices ease slightly as demand remains tepid

Asian spot LNG prices fell slightly this week, as demand in the region remained weak.

Japan's nuclear restarts this year to accelerate LNG import decline

Kansai Electric Power's plans to relaunch the last idle reactor at its flagship nuclear plant, capping a year-long series of restarts, will mark an energy shift in Japan with the sharpest drop in LNG imports since the Fukushima disaster.

India's GAIL close to finalizing Qatar LNG purchase deal

GAIL Ltd is close to finalizing a long-term liquefied natural gas import deal with Qatar to buy at least 1 million metric tons per year, potentially for more than 20 years, three industry and trade sources said.

Asia's LNG demand ticks higher, but Europe's slips, leaving prices muted

Asia's demand for liquefied natural gas ticked up to the most in six months in July but the small increase was partially offset by declining demand in Europe.

Australian state bans gas to new homes from 2024 in push to cut emissions

The Australian state of Victoria will ban natural gas connections to new homes from next year as part of a plan to cut emissions and lower energy bills, the state climate action minister said.

China policy reform to end losses for city-gas firms on household sales

Policy reform in China will boost profit for city-gas distributors by letting them raise prices for residential sales above costs, after years of selling piped gas to households at a loss, according to utility officials and analysts.

Asia, Mideast buyers looking at Indonesia's Tuna gas project

Three to five potential investors from the Middle East and Asia have started assessing the Tuna natural gas project in a possible sale of Russian explorer Zarubezhneft's stake, Indonesia's upstream regulator said.

Eni takes over Chevron's stake in Indonesia deepwater gas project

Eni signed a deal to take over U.S. oil giant Chevron's stake in the Indonesia Deepwater Development gas project, bolstering the Italian company's position in the southeast Asian oil and gas producer.

Indonesia's big gas projects to proceed after global majors sell stakes

Shell and Chevron's agreements to sell stakes in major Indonesian gas projects to Pertamina, Petronas and Eni will unleash development at the fields, enabling the country to boost its flagging output, the buyers said.

Wary of 2022 crisis, Asian buyers to build strategic gas reserves

Governments across Asia are formulating strategic natural gas reserve policies, building new terminals and storage tanks as buffers against supply disruptions following last year's energy crisis that sent global prices soaring to a record.

Sinopec natural gas output rises in H1, petrochemicals output lags

Chinese state-owned energy giant Sinopec's natural gas production in the first half of 2023 rose 7.6% from a year before to 666.1 billion cubic feet.

Bangladesh in talks with Malaysian firm for LNG supply

Bangladesh is in talks with a Malaysian firm to secure more supplies of liquefied natural gas, industry sources said, as the South Asian country looks to meet demand for power.

UAE'S ADNOC Gas agrees to $7-$9 B 14-year LNG agreement with Indian Oil Corp

Abu Dhabi's ADNOC Gas announced a 14-year $7-$9-B deal with Indian Oil Corp to supply 1.2 million metric tons of liquefied natural gas per year, ADNOC said in a statement.