Natural Gas Daily: September 23rd, 2020

Chinese LNG Imports in August Soar 16%

China’s LNG imports during August stood at 5.96mn metric tons, up 16.3% yr/yr, customs department data published showed. Month on month, imports were up 18.5%.

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• China's natural gas production in August was 14.2bn m³, up 3.7% yr/yr, as per data published on September 15 by the country’s statistics bureau.

• The biggest shake-up of China’s oil and gas industry in two decades is underway after Beijing finally kickstarted its long-awaited pipeline reform with the multi-billion-dollar transfer of major energy infrastructure assets to the country’s national pipeline company.

Giant Dutch Gasfield 'Will not be Turned back on': Minister

The giant Groningen onshore gas field will close permanently mid-2022, the Dutch industry and climate minister Eric Wiebes told a press briefing. He said gas production had to be safe and Groningen production was not safe: "Let me be very clear on that." Previously the government has left open the possibility of reopening Groningen in the event of very cold weather.

• Future gas production will come from the small fields but their yield is falling.

• The Dutch government said on September 21 that production at the giant Groningen field would be limited at 8.1bn m³ in the gas year starting October 1 2020, down from 11.8bn m³ in the previous 12 months.

Nigeria's NLNG Picks Siemens' Equipment

Nigeria LNG (NLNG), operator of the Bonny Island LNG complex in Nigeria, has selected Siemens Energy to supply a cryogenic boil-off gas compression train, Siemens said.

• The international consortium comprising Italy's Eni, France's Total, Shell and Nigerian National Petroleum Corp. (NNPC) took a final investment decision on adding a seventh train in December.

Indian Gas Output in August Dives 10%

India’s gross gas production in August was 2.43bn m³, down 9.5% year on year, according to the data published by the Indian oil and gas ministry's Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell on September 21.

• With domestic gas production remaining sluggish, India’s dependence on imported LNG continues to be high. India’s LNG imports saw a 5.4% yr/yr growth in August to 2.97bn m³ (2mn metric tons).

East Med Gas Forum Members Sign Charter

Six East Mediterranean states signed a charter on September 22 formalising the status of the East Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF), a body that aims to develop regional gas supply.

• Notably absent from EMGF is Turkey, a geopolitical rival of many of the forum's members.

• Israel started exporting gas to Jordan and Egypt from the giant offshore Leviathan field this year, under contracts which Steinitz said were worth $30bn. Cyprus has also made offshore discoveries, and together with Israel is promoting the development of the 1,900-km EastMed pipeline that would pump up to 10bn m³ of their gas annually to Europe.

Dunkerque LNG Offers Oct-Nov Capacity

The Dunkerque LNG import terminal in northern France is offering up regasification capacity in October and November. It has invited companies to contact it for more information on these spot sales, it said.

• The Dunkerque LNG terminal can bring ashore up to 13bn m³/yr of gas, but 9.5bn m³ of this capacity is booked long-term by France's EDF and Total.