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Friday, May 9, 2025

Shell News

21 Apr 2025

Shell to Complete Marine Survey at Venezuela Gas Field Ahead of License Cancellation

Shell plans to complete a marine survey at Venezuela's offshore Dragon gas field before a U.S.-set May deadline to wind down all licenses related to energy projects in the country. Credit: Adobe Stock/Taras Vykhopen

Shell plans to complete a marine survey at Venezuela's offshore Dragon gas field before a U.S.-set May deadline to wind down all licenses related to energy projects in the country, sources close to the preparations said.Colombia-flagged survey vessel Dona Jose II arrived in U.S.-sanctioned Venezuela this month to gather data for Shell and Trinidad's National Gas Company, according to LSEG vessel monitoring data.The exploration work, to be completed in the coming weeks, will allow…

15 Apr 2025

Venture Global LNG Starts Commercial Operations at Calcasieu Pass Plant

Venture Global LNG has begun commercial operations at its Calcasieu Pass plant in Louisiana.  Credit: Adobe Stock/REC and ROLL

Venture Global LNG has begun commercial operations at its Calcasieu Pass plant in Louisiana, ending a more than a three-year commissioning process at the plant, the company said on Tuesday.Venture Global will now sell LNG to its long-term customers at lower prices rather than test cargoes to the highest bidders in the red-hot global market.Just a startup five years ago, Venture Global is the country's second-largest LNG producer, helping the U.S. lead the world in LNG exports.Commissioning…

15 Apr 2025

Bulgaria, Shell Sign Contract for Black Sea Gas and Oil Exploration

Shell signed a contract with Bulgaria's government giving the oil and gas multinational major rights to explore for oil and gas in the Black Sea. Credit: Adobe Stock/Peter Hermes Furian

Shell signed a contract with Bulgaria's government on Tuesday (April 15) giving the oil and gas multinational major rights to explore for oil and gas in the Black Sea."With this contract, we are taking a significant step toward uncovering the deep Black Sea’s potential for future gas supplies," Bulgaria's Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov said.The contract will allow Shell to explore 4,000 square metres in the Block 1-26 Khan Tervel field.European Union member Bulgaria, which had been totally dependent on Russian gas until 2022, has been seeking to diversify its gas supplies and find cheaper sour

11 Apr 2025

Preview: Japan Energy Summit & Exhibition 2025

Copyright pict-japan/AdobeStock

From June 18-20, 2025, the Japan Energy Summit & Exhibition will return to Tokyo Big Sight, convening global energy leaders, influential policymakers, and industry executives to advance Japan’s energy transition, investment landscape, and strategic role in the global energy system. Co-hosted by JERA and Tokyo Gas, this high-level platform will once again provide critical insight into the country’s evolving energy strategy under the Seventh Strategic Energy Plan.Held amid rising global energy demand…

31 Mar 2025

China Warns Taiwan, Calls President "Parasite"

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-Te (Source: Office of the President)

China's military on Tuesday said it had begun joint army, navy and rocket force exercises around Taiwan to "serve as a stern warning and powerful deterrent against Taiwanese independence", calling Taiwan's President Lai Ching-Te a "parasite".More than 10 Chinese military ships have approached close to Taiwan's 24 nautical mile (44.4 kilometre) contiguous zone, and Taiwan sent its own warships to respond, two senior Taiwan officials told Reuters.Taiwan has not yet detected any live fire by the Chinese military so far…

31 Mar 2025

Shell Condemns Australia's LNG Plans

Ā© vladsv / Adobe Stock

Shell warned on Tuesday that a proposal in Australia to force more export gas into the domestic market could end up deterring investment and exacerbating shortages.Ahead of Australia's May 3 general election, energy has emerged as a major campaign issue with the conservative Liberal-National coalition pledging to bring down power bills and prevent a looming shortage on the east coast through a gas reservation scheme.However, Shell Australia Chair Cecile Wake said export controls…

31 Mar 2025

Shell Completes Acquisition of Pavilion Energy

Source: Pavilion Energy

Shell Eastern Trading, a subsidiary of Shell plc, has completed the previously announced acquisition of 100% of the shares in Pavilion Energy.Pavilion Energy, headquartered in Singapore, operates a global LNG trading business with contracted supply volume of approximately 6.5 million tonnes per annum (mtpa). The acquisition includes Pavilion Energy’s portfolio of LNG offtake and supply contracts, regasification capacity and LNG bunkering business.This acquisition helps to deliver on Shell’s ambition to solidify its leading position in LNG by growing sales by 4-5% per year through to 2030.

28 Mar 2025

EU Ban on Russia's LNG Re-Exports Comes Into Effect

Ā© SeagullNady /  Adobe Stock

The European Union's ban on re-exporting Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) via EU ports, which aims to reduce Moscow's revenues after its invasion of Ukraine, came into effect this week.The ban, which prohibits the reloading of Russian cargoes at EU ports for export to third countries, was imposed in June 2024, with a moratorium until March 26, 2025 for contracts signed before June 25 last year.Gas market experts say the measure would have little impact as trans-shipments via EU ports to Asia represent less than 10% of total Russian LNG exports…

28 Mar 2025

Gas Project with Venezuela Goes Full Steam Ahead, Trinidad PM Says

Ā© frank/AdobeStock

Companies planning a flagship offshore gas project between Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago "have not slowed down" work, Trinidad Prime Minister Stuart Young said on Thursday, despite the United States increasing pressure on sanctioned Venezuela and uncertainty over the extension of a license for the project.Following talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is visiting South American and Caribbean countries this week, Young said the "landscape is changing," referring…

27 Mar 2025

Ammonia Beckons

Source: Murchison Renewables

The popularity of ammonia as a fuel for shipping is likely to benefit from a growing number of green ammonia production projects. Shipowner confidence in the availability of ammonia was displayed this week by Belgian oil tanker group CMB.TECH and charterers Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and MOL Chemical Tankers as they signed deals for nine ammonia-powered bulk carriers and chemical tankers.Green hydrogen and ammonia projects around the world have advanced over the last few weeks. Last week…

26 Mar 2025

One Year Ago Today: U.S. Maritime Industry Delivers in Wake of FSK Bridge Collapse

Cashman’s Dale Pyatt working with Sterling Equipment’s The Pulverizer; in the back drop is the Weeks 533 and Chesapeake 100. Photo courtesy DOD/DVIDS

We are at the one-year since the Francis Scott Key (FSK) Bridge collapsed over the Patapsco River’s Fort McHenry Channel in Baltimore, Maryland. Nearly 100 percent of the wreckage and debris removal was conducted by the Jones Act private sector U.S. maritime industry. The FSK collapsed at about 1:28 a.m. local time on March 26, 2025 after the container ship MV DALI lost power and collided with one of bridge’s support piers. Six construction workers died in the collapse, while two other workers survived the fall into the freezing water.

25 Mar 2025

TechnipFMC Awarded Major Contract for Gato do Mato

Source: Shell

TechnipFMC has been awarded a major integrated Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Installation (iEPCIā„¢) contract worth over $1 billion by Shell for its Gato do Mato greenfield development offshore Brazil.In addition to integrated execution, the project will utilize Subsea 2.0Ā® configure-to-order (CTO) subsea production systems. Combining both offerings will enable streamlined project management through a single interface and accelerate time to first oil.Jonathan Landes…

14 Mar 2025

DNV Grants AiP for Shell and Brevik Engineering’s LCO2 Carrier Design

(Credit: DNV)

DNV has awarded a detailed Approval in Principle (AiP) to Shell International Trading and Shipping Company and Brevik Engineering for their design of a 74,000 cubic meters (cbm) liquid carbon dioxide (LCO2) carrier.The vessel is specifically designed for the Asia Pacific market to enable cost competitive transport of CO2.This AiP from DNV covers a comprehensive scope across a wide range of disciplines, including the assessment of specific technical challenges for LCO2 carriers.

13 Mar 2025

Unwinding the Morass that is U.S. Offshore Wind

DEME jackup Sea Installer working Vineyard Wind.
Image courtesy DEME

In the last decade, changing U.S. Administrations have become increasingly tumultuous, as the swings in priorities and directives have a real, material impact on business. Read on for insights on the current and future of U.S. Offshore Wind.In the weeks preceding his late January inauguration, then President-elect Donald Trump referred to wind turbines (both onshore and offshore) as ā€œgarbage in a fieldā€ and described electric power produced through offshore wind as ā€œā€¦the most expensive energy everā€¦ā€In the same briefing…

25 Feb 2025

Shell Predicts 60% Rise in LNG Demand by 2040 with Asia Leading the Way

Ā© vladsv / Adobe Stock

Global demand for liquefied natural gas is estimated to rise by around 60% by 2040, driven largely by economic growth in Asia, AI impact and efforts to cut emissions in heavy industries and transportation, Shell said in an annual report on Tuesday.Demand for natural gas continues to rise globally as the world transitions to cleaner fuels. Industry forecasts LNG demand to reach between 630 million and 718 million metric tons a year by 2040, Shell said in its 2025 annual LNG outlook.The latest view from the world's largest LNG trader is higher than last year's forecast…

17 Feb 2025

LNG Shipping Stocks Gain for a Second Week

Ā© donvictori0 / Adobe Stock

The UP World LNG Shipping Index (UPI) rose 0.67% to 168.40 points, while markets remained quiet despite geopolitical shifts made by the new U.S. administration, reports UPI analyst Tomas Novotny. ā€œThis can potentially increase LNG market competition, leading to lower prices but higher sales.ā€The UPI saw moderate growth, with Awilco LNG (+9.1%), BP (+8.5%), and Cool Company (+6.8%) among the top gainers, while Tsakos Energy (-5.2%) and Capital Clean Energy (-4.9%) declined. Many stocks are nearing key resistance levels, hinting at possible breakouts.

17 Feb 2025

Calcasieu Pass Louisiana LNG Plant to Start Commercial Operations Soon

Ā© vladsv / Adobe Stock

Three years after it shipped its first LNG cargo, and after a two-year dispute with its customers, Venture Global LNG will begin commercial operations at its Calcasieu Pass plant in Louisiana on April 15, the company said on Monday.Long-term customers including Shell and bp have been notified of the start of commercial operations, the company said.Venture Global's failure to move to commercial operations years after it started selling the superchilled gas on the spot market led to contract arbitration cases brought by some of the world's top oil and gas producers…

14 Feb 2025

Navigating the Stormy Seas of U.S. Offshore Wind

Copyright ratpack223/AdobeStock

Companies that once committed to investing in U.S. offshore wind infrastructure and supply chains are now scrapping their plans as the industry experiences significant challenges. These setbacks stem from project delays, soaring costs, and the potential loss of federal support under former President Donald Trump’s proposed policies.The downturn in the offshore wind sector over the past two years has led to prolonged project delays, budget overruns, and even outright failures of planned wind farms…

11 Feb 2025

Aiviq becomes USCGC Storis, to be based in Juneau

The Coast Guard on Dec. 20 completed acceptance of the motor vessel Aiviq from an Edison Chouest Offshore subsidiary. The vessel, acquired Dec. 11 through a $125 million firm fixed-price contract award to Offshore Service Vessels of Cut Off, Louisiana, will enhance U.S. operational presence in the Arctic and support Coast Guard missions while awaiting delivery of the polar security cutter (PSC) class.) [Credit: Edison Chouest Offshore]

The Coast Guard gets its first new polar icebreaker in more than 25 years.The Coast Guard has accepted its first new polar icebreaker in more than 25 years, but it’s not really new. The 12,900-ton, 360-foot Anchor Handling Tug Support Ship (AHTS) Aiviq was acquired by the Coast Guard and renamed USCGC Storis (WAGB 21).According to a Coast Guard statement, ā€œOn Nov. 20, the Coast Guard purchased the M/V Aiviq, a 360-foot U.S.-built polar class 3-equivalent icebreaker for $125 million in a deal with Offshore Surface Vessels LLC.

07 Feb 2025

World’s First LCO2 Transport Ship Arrives to Norway

(Credit: Northern Lights JV

)

The Northern Pioneer, the world's first commercial liquefied CO2 transport ship, has arrived to Stavanger in Norway, ahead of moving to CO2 receiving facilities in Ƙygarden for commissioning.The 130-meter-long ship can transport 8,000 tonnes of liqued CO2 and is ready for operations in 2025.Northern Pioneer received blessings from her godmother Tina Bru – a Stavanger citizen and former Minister of Petroleum and Energy when the Longship project was proposed to the Norwegian Parliament in 2019.The ship…

03 Feb 2025

No New Offshore Wind Contracts for New Jersey

Ā© Stockr / Adobe Stock

New Jersey officials on Monday said the state would not grant awards for new offshore wind contracts, a sign that U.S. President Donald Trump's order to review the federal offshore wind program is putting a chill on the industry.The announcement by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities comes days after Shell backed out as a partner in the only project that had finalized a bid under the state's latest offshore wind procurement scheme.In a statement, the New Jersey Board of Public…

30 Jan 2025

Germany builds up LNG import terminals

(c) Mike Mareen / Adobestock

Germany is expanding its natural gas import options to replace Russian supply, a drive intensified by the latest suspension of Russian flows via Ukraine and U.S. President Donald Trump targeting Europe with liquefied natural gas exports.Plans also include shore-based regasification terminals and facilities to import and produce ammonia and green hydrogen under decarbonization strategies. A synopsis of changes and additions to Germany's energy plans and infrastructure is listed below:MUKRANMukran…

30 Jan 2025

Court Overturns Approval for Two Massive UK North Sea O&G Fields

Copyright Jay/AdobeStock

A Scottish court has invalidated Britain's approvals for two major North Sea oil and gas projects, delivering a significant victory to environmental groups and raising uncertainty over future fossil fuel developments in the UK.The Court of Session in Edinburgh found that the government had unlawfully granted approval for Shell's Jackdaw gas field and Equinor's Rosebank oil and gas field by failing to consider the emissions generated when the extracted fuels are burned—known as downstream emissions.

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