Natural Gas Daily: July 21st, 2020
Gas Flaring Down in Q1: World Bank
World Bank data show that global gas flaring rose last year to levels last seen in 2009, to 150bn m³, based on estimates from satellite images. However, the trend began to reverse in the first quarter as global gas flaring fell by 10%, with declines across most of the top 30 gas flaring countries, it said.
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The top four gas flaring countries (Russia, Iraq, the US and Iran) continue to account for almost half (45%) of all global gas flaring, for three years running (2017-2019).
Snam, Baker Hughes Test World's 1st Hydrogen-Blend Turbine
The US' Baker Hughes (BH) and Italy's Snam have completed testing the world's first hybrid hydrogen-blend turbine for gas networks, they announced on July 20, paving the way for the blending of hydrogen with gas in the Italian transmission grid.
- The completion tests comes weeks after the European Commission unveiled its new strategy for developing hydrogen as an energy source.
- Snam is among 11 European gas grid operators that presented a plan on July 17 for adapting gas infrastructure to transport the fuel at an affordable cost.
Low LNG Prices Pose Risk to India's Deepwater Gas: WoodMac
India's new deepwater gas production could be under pressure from low spot LNG prices, Wood Mackenzie said in a report.
- LNG appears to be more competitive economically compared to deepwater domestic gas over the next two to three years. However, not all volumes are at equal risk, WoodMac said.
Alberta Agency Commits C$58mn to Emissions Reduction
Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA), a collaborative group established by the provincial government, industry and academia, has awarded C$58.4mn (US$43.4mn) to 20 projects selected from 117 submissions to ERA’s Natural Gas Challenge.
- Shortly after, it was reported that Alberta energy infrastructure developer Canadian Utilities had received C$2.1mn (US$1.6mn) in funding from the Natural Gas Challenge to advance its first-of-a-kind hydrogen blending project in Fort Saskatchewan, just outside the provincial capital of Edmonton.
US Energy Department Unveils Hydrogen Funding
The US Department of Energy (DoE) announced July 20 about $64mn in fiscal year 2020 funding for 18 projects supporting the department’s H2@Scale program for affordable hydrogen, production, storage, distribution and end use.
- "These projects will bring us closer to realizing hydrogen’s full potential for a resilient, flexible, and affordable energy system for all Americans,” US secretary of energy Dan Brouillette said.
Engie-Led Group Buys Remaining Stake in Brazilian Pipeline Firm
France's Engie and Canadian investment fund Caisse de Depot and Placement du Quebec (CDPQ) have bought the remaining 10% of Brazil's largest gas pipeline company TAG from state-owned Petrobras for reais 1bn ($187.5mn), Engie's Brazilian division reported on July 20.
- Petrobras has just reached a deal to sell a group of shallow-water fields off Rio de Janeiro to London-based Trident Energy for $365.4mn and a further $650mn in contingency payments.
- The company also launched the binding phase of a tender for its remaining 10% interest in Nova Transportadora do Sudeste, and wants to offload its 51% in gas distribution holding Gaspetro.
