LNG
Overview
LNG's role as a key feedstock is well established as it helps manage both input costs and carbon emissions. Heavy industrial users' drive to achieve net zero targets has added a new dimension to how and where it is being deployed. Overall, its use is expected to increase and is tipped to become the strongest-growing fossil fuel.
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Cyclone, outages cut Australia’s Woodside output in 1Q
Cyclone, outages cut Australia’s Woodside output in 1Q
Sydney, 23 April (Argus) — Australian independent Woodside Energy's LNG output dropped in January-March, because of Cyclone Zelia and the retirement of its North West Shelf's (NWS) 2.5mn t/yr train 2 in late 2024. Woodside's overall LNG production fell by 14pc from 231,200 b/d in October-December to 213,900 b/d in January-March (see table) . LNG production at Woodside's 14.4mn t/yr NWS project fell by 22pc on the year to near a three-year low of 71,100 b/d of oil equivalent (boe/d) in January-March, as category 5 storm Cyclone Zelia hit the WA coastline in early February. Woodside's chief officer Meg O'Neil is calling for certainty on the continuation of operations at NWS beyond 2030 , as the firm has yet to receive federal consent, after receiving state government approval late last year. The decision lies with whomever forms government following the federal election on 3 May. Woodside's 4.9mn t/yr Pluto LNG project offshore Western Australia's production dropped by 11pc on the year to 115,000 b/d in the January-March quarter, because of three unplanned outages, which caused days-long shutdowns. This comes after a previous unplanned outage in November 2024 caused by a faulty control system , which halted LNG production for seven days. The cause of the outage is under investigation and the company said it will continue to monitor the facility to minimise the risk of future unplanned outages. Woodside's 13pc interest in Wheatstone remained steady, with production up by 3pc on the year to 26,900 b/d in January-March, from 26,200 b/d in the same period a year earlier. By Grace Dudley Woodside LNG production (mn boe) NWS Pluto Wheatstone* Total Jan-Mar '25 6.4 10.4 2.4 19.2 Oct-Dec '24 7.1 11.2 2.5 20.8 Jan-Mar '24 8.2 11.8 2.4 22.3 2024 29.4 46.7 9.3 85.5 2023 32.8 45.6 10.2 88.6 y-o-y % ± -21.9 -11.3 2.8 -7.5 q-o-q % ± -10.1 -7.1 -1.5 -13.7 *Woodside controls a 13pc interest in Wheatstone LNG Source: Woodside Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Uncertainty in US may lead LNG buyers to look elsewhere
Uncertainty in US may lead LNG buyers to look elsewhere
London, 22 April (Argus) — US tariffs and potential port fees on Chinese ships are creating uncertainty for US LNG projects that are looking to reach final investment decisions (FIDs) in 2025-26, and this could prompt potential buyers to look for non-US projects with similar timelines. Project developers need to recalculate their costs in the face of the new tariffs on US imports , which may delay planned FIDs for 2025-26 and expected commissions towards the end of this decade (see table) . Planned US LNG projects that expect to reach a financial close by the end of 2026 amount to close to 71mn t/yr, constituting the second wave of LNG exports in the late 2020s, after Qatar's massive expansion, to come on line in 2026. The total capacity would increase to 89mn t/yr if planned projects in Mexico with US feedgas are included (see table) . And the US' new port fees on non-US vessels has compounded concerns for shipowners and LNG firms. US exporters need to aim to export 15pc of their output on US-built, US-flagged and US-operated vessels by 2047, starting from 1pc in April 2028. Exporters' licenses could be revoked if terminals do not comply with this regulation. US LNG carriers are likely to be much more expensive than LNG carriers built elsewhere, market participants said, and the requirement for US LNG carriers could raise the overall costs of US projects. Despite the exemptions on LNG vessels, shipowners, charterers and LNG buyers are likely to start considering the political risks before making commercial commitments, either for vessel chartering or for commodity purchases, for 10-20 years, market participants said. And it could take about 10 years before US shipbuilding capacity builds up sufficiently to start constructing LNG vessels, market participants familiar with the matter told Argus . Options beyond the US Many LNG importers have started to reconsider non-US LNG projects, despite their respective difficulties, given the cloud of uncertainty shrouding the US' trade environment in the coming years. Outside of Qatar, Mozambique has seen the greatest number of proposals for LNG projects, although development in the country faces multiple threats. The government on 9 April approved Italian energy company Eni's 3.4mn t/yr Coral North floating LNG project. And the Export-Import Bank of the US again approved a loan for the 13.1mn t/yr Mozambique LNG project, led by TotalEnergies. The project could start operations in 2029-30, according to TotalEnergies, if construction can resume in the first half of this year. ExxonMobil expects to reach an FID on its 18mn t/yr Rovuma LNG export project, also in Mozambique, in early 2026, with commission likely to start in the early 2030s. Norway's Equinor is also leading a 10mn t/yr Tanzania LNG project in eastern Africa, aiming for an FID in 2025 and production towards the end of this decade. And many Canadian LNG projects are also unsold, with the 14mn t/yr LNG Canada phase 2, 12mn t/yr Ksi Lisims and 3.3mn t/yr Cedar phase 2 projects all having unsold capacity. Continued interest in US projects But US LNG projects this month have continued to add equity partners and sell through long-term agreements because US projects are still more likely to reach FID than other exporters with planned projects, market participants said. NextDecade's Rio Grande LNG in south Texas and Woodside's Louisiana LNG have signed long-term deals with buyers in recent weeks. Woodside also sold 40pc of the project to US-based investment firm Stonepeak. And Lake Charles LNG and Commonwealth LNG have sold stakes to foreign investors this month as these projects progress toward FIDs. Buyers may look to narrow their trade deficit with the US by boosting their imports of US LNG. Many Asian countries — Japan and Thailand, for example — have shown interest in buying more US LNG on a long-term basis since US president Donald Trump announced the tariffs earlier this month. LNG projects in other countries such as Mozambique and Argentina face their own sets of risks, including political instability and challenges attracting investment, shipping firm Flex LNG board member Susan Sakmar told Argus . "Buyers should ask themselves who do they think can get a project off the ground, and when and whom do they think will be a reliable supplier over the long term? So far, the US and Qatar are the leaders in this regard, and I think they will continue to lead after this bit of market uncertainty is behind us," she said. By Xiaoyi Deng and Tray Swanson LNG projects awaiting FIDs mn t/yr Name Developer Planned capacity US LNG Delfin FLNG Delfin 13.2 Texas LNG Glenfarne 4.0 CP2 Venture Global 28.0 Corpus Christi 8-9 Cheniere 3.3 Louisiana LNG Woodside 16.5 Cameron train 4 Sempra 6.8 Mexican LNG project Energia Costa Azul Sempra 3.3 Saguaro Mexico Pacific 15.0 — Firms Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Taiwan poised to import more LNG this summer
Taiwan poised to import more LNG this summer
Singapore, 17 April (Argus) — Taiwan is likely to import more LNG to meet growing demand for gas-fired power generation, as its third LNG import terminal comes on line in time for summer. Taiwan's 3mn t/yr Guantang import terminal in Taoyuan, located in the northwest of the country, has successfully received its first delivery of 63,780t of LNG from the 145,000m³ Methane Rita Andrea on 7 April, according to vessel tracker Kpler. This third importing terminal will increase Taiwan's total import capacity to 19.5mn t/yr, alleviating high utilisation at existing import terminals . Pivoting to gas Taiwan's CPC will require at least one more cargo each month for the new 913MW Datan unit 7 power plant, which is due to come on line in June. The third LNG import terminal would ease the importing process. Assuming a 55pc efficiency rate, the power plant is estimated to burn about 75,260 t/month (166,780 m³/month) of LNG, equivalent to about one standard-sized cargo. Gas-fired power generation accounted for an average of about 41pc of Taiwan's total power generation over 2023-24. Gas fired-power generation reached 29.6TWh for the second quarter of 2024, which was 10pc higher from 26.9TWh over the same quarter in 2023. Taipower planned to install up to 14 gas-fired power plants over 2025-30, according to the firm's 2024 power development plan which was last updated on 9 August 2024 (see table) . Taiwan has a total of 21,196MW of gas-fired power capacity fuelled on LNG as of February 2025. CPC has issued nine tenders seeking spot deliveries over the first quarter of 2025, four more than a year earlier. This latest increase in importing capacity will be crucial to support the increased reliance on gas-fired power generation, especially after Taiwan phases out its last nuclear power facility in July. A gradual nuclear phase-out Nuclear output has also been on a downward trajectory since 2023 and only made up 1pc of Taiwan's overall power mix over the last quarter of 2024. The 951MW Maanshan nuclear unit 2 is planned for decommissioning and will be taken fully off line on 17 May . The Maanshan unit 1 was [shut down last July](https://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/2581822). Taiwan's annual LNG imports rose by 2pc on the year in 2023, and increased by 5pc on the year in 2024. Taiwan imported a total of 21.5mn t of LNG in 2024, of which 10pc of the volumes were from the US. By Naomi Ong Taipower gas-fired additions Year Units 2025 913MW Tatan unit 7 1,300MW Taichung unit 1 1,300MW Hsinta unit 1 1,300MW Hsinta unit 2 2026 1,300 Taichung unit 2 1,300MW Hsinta unit 3 2028 650MW Talin unit 1 650MW Talin unit 2 650MW Tunghsiao unit 4 650MW Tunghsiao unit 5 2029 650MW Tunghsiao unit 6 650MW Tunghsiao unit 7 2030 1,300MW Hsiehho unit 1 650MW Tunghsiao unit 8 Taipower Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
AD Ports Group pioneers LNG bunkering at Khalifa Port
AD Ports Group pioneers LNG bunkering at Khalifa Port
Dubai, 17 April (Argus) — Abu Dhabi's AD Ports Group has conducted its first ship-to-ship (STS) LNG bunkering operation at Khalifa Port. The operation, executed with marine fuels provider Monjasa, involved the container vessel MSC Thais , berthed at Abu Dhabi Terminals, receiving LNG from the dedicated bunker vessel Green Zeebrugge during a simultaneous cargo transfer. "By ensuring reliable access to low-carbon fuels like LNG, we are enabling shipowners to meet their sustainability goals while aligning with global environmental objectives," said Abu Dhabi Maritime chief executive Saif Al Mheiri. LNG offers lower greenhouse gas emissions, sulphur oxide, nitrogen oxide, and particulate matter than conventional marine fuels. AD Ports Group and Monjasa plan to expand LNG bunkering services across Abu Dhabi's commercial ports, including Zayed Port's cruise liners. Monjasa facilitated the first delivery of LNG bunker fuel in Dubai earlier this year. The firm brought the 5,100m³ Green Zeebrugge in 2024 from northwest Europe to be stationed in the UAE. By Elshan Aliyev Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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