Europe
Bulgaria to Seek Binding Bids for TurkStream Link by Jan 16
Bulgaria's state gas network operator plans to launch a binding open season this month for a 300-mile link that would transport mainly Russian gas from the TurkStream pipeline to central Europe.
Firms Approve Pipeline to Supply Norwegian gas to Poland
Polish and Danish gas grid operators Gaz-System and Energinet agreed to finance construction of the Baltic Pipe project, a 560-mile pipeline transporting Norwegian gas to Poland via Denmark.
Bulgaria OKs Pipeline Linking Russian gas to Central Europe
Bulgaria will go ahead with construction of a $1.59 billion pipeline to Turkey that enables Gazprom to transport natural gas from the TurkStream pipeline to Europe, bypassing Ukraine to the south.
Finland Eyes Imports of Piped Norwegian Gas via Poland, Baltics
Finland could receive gas from Norway via a network of pipelines being planned through the Baltic countries and Poland, as part of an effort to reduce its dependency on gas imports from Russia.
Cypriot Peace Deal Could Send Mediterranean Gas Through Turkey
An accord reunifying ethnically split Cyprus could unlock a deal to convey gas discovered in fields off Israel, Egypt and Cyprus to markets through neighboring Turkey’s existing pipeline network, the leader of the island’s breakaway Turkish Cypriots said.
Gas Remains Key to UK Energy
Gas is a key element of the U.K.’s energy mix, but the closure of Centrica’s Rough long-term storage facility last year reduced U.K. gas storage to only 14 days of capacity, compared with 87 in France, 69 in Germany and 59 in Italy.
US Envoy Warns Sanctions Still on Table Against Nord Stream 2
The United States could yet impose new sanctions to try to block construction of the Russian Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline across the Baltic Sea to the European Union, the U.S. ambassador to the EU said.
NuStar Energy Agrees to Sell Its European Operations to Inter Pipeline
NuStar Energy agreed to sell its European terminals and related assets to Inter Pipeline’s European storage subsidiary, Inter Terminals, for $270 million.
Italy Gives Green Light to Contested TAP Gas Pipeline
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte gave Italy's final approval to the Trans Adriatic Pipeline, a gas transport project which had been strongly contested by one of the two parties in the ruling coalition.
Poland Signs Long-Term Import Deal for Louisiana LNG
Poland's main gas company says it has signed a long-term contract for the purchase of some 40 million tons of liquefied natural gas from a U.S.-based producer in the first such deal in Central and Eastern Europe.
Pipeline Deal Brings Export of Israeli Gas to Egypt Within Sight
Companies operating in both Israel and Egypt will invest in the EMG pipeline to enable a landmark $15 billion natural gas export deal to begin next year.
Norway’s Gas Exports Hit Summer High; Pipeline System Sets Record
Norway’s gas exports hit a new high of 36.8 Bcf this summer and the annual deliveries will be on a par with the record annual figure achieved in 2017, gas system operator Gassco said
US Hopes to Deliver LNG to Germany in 4 years: German Newspaper
U.S. companies expect to begin delivering liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Germany in four years at the latest and will challenge Russia which now accounts for 60% of German gas imports, the deputy U.S. energy secretary told a German newspaper.
Global News
Pipelaying for Ichthys LNG Project. (Photo: Inpex) Ichthys LNG Project Commences Production Japan’s Inpex Corp. marked a key milestone in late July with the start of natural gas production from its giant Ichthys Field offshore northern Australi..
Moldova Plans Pipeline for Romanian Gas Supply
Moldova plans to construct a new pipeline after signing a $107 million gas deal with Romania to lessen its dependence on Russian gas.
Construction Contract Awarded for European Gas Pipeline
Gascade, a subsidiary of BASF and Gazprom, has awarded a construction contract for six lots of the European Gas Pipeline (EUGAL) to the joint venture between Bonatti and Max Streicher. The pipeline will be powered by the Nord Stream 2, the gas transport network that connects Siberia to the heart of Europe via the Baltic Sea.
Nord Stream 2 on Track Despite Sanction Risk, Operator says
The Nord Stream 2 pipeline is on track to start flowing Russian gas to Germany by the end of 2019, its operator said Friday, with European investors still committed to the project despite criticism and the threat of sanctions.
Commerce Dept: 6 Countries Dumped Welded Pipe in US Market
The U.S. Commerce Department said it made a preliminary determination that large-diameter welded pipe from Canada, China, Greece, India, South Korea and Turkey was being dumped in the U.S. market.
After Trump Attack on Russia Ties, Merkel Eyes Azeri Gas
Castigated by U.S. President Donald Trump as relying too much on Russian gas supplies, German Chancellor Angela Merkel heads to Azerbaijan this week to discuss the development of a southern pipeline to deliver gas to Europe from the Caspian.
Italian Energy Hub Seen as Key to EU Goals
European energy policy is largely determined by Brussels and implemented by individual member states, but integral to improving European energy security are joint plans to turn Italy into Southern Europe’s energy hub.
Midyear International Update: Pipeline Construction & Market Trends
Global energy trends and forecasts entering the second half of 2018 continue to support a generally bullish outlook for oil and gas production and infrastructure construction to meet growing demand and evolving patterns of interregional trade.
Premier Sanctions North Sea Gas Development, Export Pipeline
Premier Oil said it reached a final decision with its joint venture and infrastructure partners to invest in the development of the Tolmount gas field in Britain's North Sea, including construction of a minimal facilities platform exporting gas to shore via a new gas pipeline.
Russia Loses Bulk of WTO Challenge to EU Gas Pipeline Rules
Russia largely failed in its bid to overturn the European Union’s gas market rules in a World Trade Organization ruling published on Friday. Russia launched the dispute in 2014, claiming that the EU’s “Third Energy Package” and the EU’s energy policy overall unfairly restricted and discriminated against Russia’s gas export monopoly Gazprom.
Bulgaria Expands Pipeline to Turkey in Bid for Russian Gas
Bulgaria opened a new looping section of its transit gas pipeline to Turkey, expanding its capacity and adding the possibility of two-way flows as the Balkan country bids to transport Russian gas from the TurkStream pipeline to Europe.
Italy PM Non-Committal after TAP Pipeline Meeting
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Thursday met the mayor at the center of a dispute threatening to delay work on the Trans Adriatic Pipeline but made no commitment about changing the project.
Closer Look at Flammability, Inerting of Complex Hydrocarbon Mixtures
In the lifetime of oil and gas pipelines there are numerous events that could pose the potential of an explosion hazard. In case of air purging, flammable mixtures are created in pipelines in an uncontrolled manner. This article covers basic flammability and inerting principles and applications of mobile nitrogen unit technology has been proven safer than air purging while maintaining high operational flexibility.
Top German Court Rejects Bid to Block Gas Pipeline
Germany's highest court has rejected a bid by an environmentalist group to block construction of the planned Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which would pump Russian gas to Germany under the Baltic Sea.
Russia’s Gas Pipeline Network Revised
Gazprom spent $4.6 billion and built more than 17,000 miles of pipeline during 2005-2016. Here's an update on the Russian gas giant's vertically integrated business, now responsible for about 11% of global gas output
France to Allow Private Investors to Buy into GRTgaz Gas Grid
France will allow gas utility Engie to sell part of the main French gas grid, GRTgaz, to private investors, according to a planned parliamentary bill, as the government eyes a series of possible privatizations to boost the economy.
First Gas Arrives in Turkey Through Pipeline from Azerbaijan
The Turkish and Azerbaijani presidents on Tuesday inaugurated a key pipeline carrying natural gas from Azerbaijan’s gas fields to Turkish markets and eventually to Europe, part of a wider Southern Gas Corridor project that aims to diversify gas supplies and reduce countries’ dependence on Russia.
