Lng Imports

India to Build Own LNG Fleet

Despite some delays, the Indian shipping industry appears to be finally gearing up to develop an LNG (liquefied natural gas) fleet. With India emerging as a major importer of the gas, even the Ministry of Shipping has asked Indian ship-owners in no uncertain terms to take the initiative to develop an LNG fleet, according to a report on - www.thehindubusinessline.com It is estimated that by 2012 India's LNG imports will almost equal Japan's current LNG imports of 60 million tons per annum. And to transport this quantity, the country will need about 25 LNG vessels by 2012 and 34 by 2025. Indian ship-owners are realizing the need to build up an LNG fleet. "Japan transported about 43 perent of its total LNG import of 59.1 million tonnes in 2003 on Japanese owned and controlled ships. Similarly, Korea transported about 61 per cent of its LNG imports of 19.3 million tonnes during that period on Korean controlled ships. In the combined import of Japan and Korea, third party owned ships participation was only 8.3 per cent," points out the Indian National Shipowners Association (INSA) President, Mr Yudhishthir Khatau, according to the published report. Understandably, this kind of LNG fleet development will mean significant value addition to the economy. According to a recent study by TERI, on an average, the value added by the shipping industry to the economy per unit of Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) acquired is Rs 2,211.

Hearing – Securing LNG Tankers to Protect the Homeland

The House Homeland Security Committee conducted a hearing entitled Securing LNG Tankers to Protect the Homeland. Chairman Bennie Thompson (D-MS) stated that he was concerned about the significant increase in LNG imports and the increased safety and security risks related thereto. Mr. Jim Wells, Government Accountability Office (GAO), testified that the public safety consequences of a liquefied natural gas spill need clarification. Rear Admiral Brian M

Oregon: LNG Project

The U.S. Coast Guard is seeking comments on a proposal it received for construction and operation of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) import facility on the Columbia River in the vicinity of Bradwood, Oregon. The agency will prepare a Letter of Recommendation concerning the suitability of the river for LNG marine traffic. A public meeting on this proposal will be held in Astoria on September 29. Written comments must be submitted by October 6. 70 Fed. Reg. 53677 (HK Law)

CB&I Wins Contract for China LNG Terminal

CB&I won a turnkey contract valued at approximately $140 million for the design and construction of the terminal system works at a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal in Fujian Province, Peoples Republic of China. CB&I's work scope for the contract includes the turnkey engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning of the terminal system works, which encompasses civil, mechanical, piping, structural, buildings, and electrical and instrumentation work

Golar LNG Limited Enters Joint Venture Agreement

Golar LNG Limited signed a share purchase agreement with OLT Energy Toscana SpA in November 2006 for the acquisition of 20% of shares in OLT Offshore LNG Toscana SpA (OLT-O). The purpose of the joint venture company OLT-O is the construction of the Livorno offshore LNG import and regasification terminal, which will be located approximately 20 kilometers off the coast. Source: CCN

FERC Tech Conference with LNG Company

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a notice stating that on February 4 it will convene an engineering design and technical conference in Astoria, Oregon with the LNG Development Company LLC regarding the proposed Oregon liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal.  In view of the nature of the critical energy infrastructure information and security issues to be explored, the cryogenic conference will not be open to the public.  74 Fed. Reg

LNG Terminal Proposal Debated

Since hurricanes Katrina and Rita slammed the Gulf Coast nearly five months ago, the region has lost more than 610 billion cubic feet of natural gas production. There is no single solution to offsetting supply disruptions, but economists, industry executives and analysts advocate placing above-ground storage tanks along the nation's coasts where energy companies can store imported liquefied natural gas, also known as LNG

CNOOC Aims 60m LNG Imports in 15 yrs

China's offshore oil and gas specialist China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC) plans to boost its imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to 60 million tons a year in 15 years, Reuters reported. The plan to raise imports of cleaner LNG would help reduce reliance on dirty coal-based energy and meet growing demand in coastal regions, the China Daily reported, quoting Fu Chengyu, general manager of CNOOC and chairman of listed arm CNOOC.

Supreme Court to Determine NJ/Delaware Boundary

The US Supreme Court has agreed to hear the dispute between the states of New Jersey and Delaware regarding the boundary in the Delaware River. The dispute, which has been simmering for many years and is based on old colonial land grants, came to a head when Delaware asserted the right to block construction of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) import facility on the New Jersey side of the river. (HK Law)

Bouygues Offshore Logs New Contract

Technigaz, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bouygues Offshore, will build a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) tank in Palos de Frontera, Spain under a contract awarded by ENAGAS. This contract, for a total amount of EUR 40 million (Bouygues Offshore's share: EUR 28 million) will be performed by a Joint-Venture of Technigaz (70%) and Initec (30%). The customer, ENAGAS, is the only LNG importer in Spain so far. This turnkey contract covers Engineering, Procurement