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Q&A: LGE calls for more EU backing as Congress begins

  • Spanish Market: LPG
  • 18/06/24

The European Parliament election on 6-9 June is expected to result in centre-right Ursula von der Leyen remaining as president of the European Commission despite an increase in support for far-right groups. The election came just before European LPG association Liquid Gas Europe's (LGE) 2024 Congress in Lyon, France, over 18-20 June. Argus' EU correspondent Dafydd ab Iago spoke with the LGE's general manager, Ewa Abramiuk-Lete, about the election and the EU's climate and energy policies on the eve of the conference:

What do you want from the newly constituted parliament and commission?

A positive overarching framework from Brussels is needed to drive demand for renewable gases such as bioLPG and renewable and recycled carbon DME in heating and transport. For instance, retrofitting diesel or gasoline engines after 2035 is a potential solution for legacy fleets. But this goal is currently missing at the EU level. Energy taxation is another critical issue, with the current directive unchanged for more than 20 years. It's crucial that revenue from energy taxation is re-invested into the production of renewable fuels to avoid a vicious cycle.

Do you expect parliament to push for a clearer future for renewable liquid gas fuels despite plans to phase out ICE [internal combustion engine] vehicles?

There's obviously a trend towards electrification. And as set out in the current legislation, the European Commission will come forward with definitions of CO2-neutral fuels. But member states have woken up to the gravity of the ban on ICE vehicles. Legislative solutions need to come really fast. We don't want to wait two more years until the effect of the new CO2 standards for cars fully kicks in.

Can a new parliament tweak existing legislation on the EU's 2030 climate and energy goals?

The ICE phase-out has intensified scrutiny of the Green Deal, at the member state level and in the European Parliament. But significant changes to the 2030 goals are unlikely as the targets are set for 2030. And Europe remains committed to achieving climate neutrality by 2050. Considerations to be examined include the role of liquid gases, especially in rural areas that account for about 3pc of EU energy demand. They rely on LPG as an off-grid solution.

Does the EU need to rethink the 2040 goals?

The suggested 2040 strategy set out by the outgoing commission still has to translate into legal proposals for parliament and member states to decide upon. The major question is where the industry will get to in 2040. Achieving 90pc net greenhouse gas savings by 2040, and then climate neutrality by 2050, will require significant investment. We expect an increase in the production of renewable gases by 2030, and a further scale-up towards 2040. But the industry also needs investor security. Some countries such as Italy, the Czech Republic and Spain have mentioned renewable LPG in their national energy and climate plans. That provides some degree of investor security.

Will LPG still be part of the EU's heating and transport picture as we move towards 2030 and 2035?

Yes, particularly for industrial use as Russian gas is being phased out. Major industries such as steel and ceramics need high heat that was previously supplied by natural gas, which cannot be replaced everywhere with electricity. There is significant interest from energy-intensive industries. For heating and boilers, the commission is developing guidance documents defining fossil boilers, which must outline a future pathway for boilers, especially important for off-grid areas. Those guidance documents need to recognise that boilers can run on both fossil fuels and renewable blends.

Is an extension of the ETS [emissions trading system] to transport and heating proceeding smoothly for the LPG sector?

The expansion of the ETS is new for many in the sector, requiring firms to establish trading for ETS allowances. While some companies were already under the ETS, the EU-wide extension now includes medium and small-sized firms, which face crucial upcoming deadlines. Companies must estimate their emissions and purchase allowances, adding costs for consumers. And implementation has been challenging for some member states, particularly in identifying relevant companies falling under the ETS, making the process more difficult than anticipated.


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13/02/25

Sanctions complicate Syria’s access to crude, products

Sanctions complicate Syria’s access to crude, products

Dubai, 13 February (Argus) — Syria is struggling to secure crude and refined oil products through public tenders because shipowners remain cautious about sending vessels there in case they are detained, traders say. Syria's transitional government issued tenders seeking 4.2mn bl of crude, 80,000t of 90 Ron gasoline and 100,000t each of fuel oil and gasoil last month — the first since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December last year. The tenders closed earlier this month after minimal participation from trading firms and were mostly awarded to local companies which will effectively act as intermediaries, market participants said. Market participants have hinted to Argus that small and medium-sized Turkish firms were likely on the list of bidders . But the delivery of the cargoes is under threat, with shipping companies avoiding the route over concerns about tankers being "sanctioned or stranded". Last month the US waived sanctions prohibiting energy trade with Syria, but the country is still under EU and UK sanctions, which could have narrowed the pool for bidding, although EU foreign ministers have agreed on a roadmap to ease restrictions. The bidding pool was also limited by a clause in the tender document that noted "the seller should not have any direct or indirect trade relations with any country that is in war with Syria", a market source said, adding that this could have discouraged some companies from taking part. Before Assad's removal, Syria relied heavily on Iran for crude and product supplies. But Tehran — the Assad regime's closest ally — ceased shipments after the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham took control last month, leaving the new transitional government under pressure to find alternative suppliers. Neighbouring Arab countries are stepping in to help the new government deal with acute fuel shortages. State-owned Jordan Petroleum Refinery Company has begun exporting around 500 t/d of LPG to Syria. The ministry also issued two LPG import tenders seeking a total of 86,000t, but the winner has not been confirmed By Rithika Krishna Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Feyzin bitumen output halted as part of wider stoppage


11/02/25
11/02/25

Feyzin bitumen output halted as part of wider stoppage

London, 11 February (Argus) — Bitumen production at TotalEnergies' 109,300 b/d Feyzin refinery near Lyon, central France, is halted from 10-20 February as part of a wider shutdown affecting the refinery's crude distillation unit (CDU) and reformer. Workers at the plant said last week there had been unexpectedly extended CDU works caused by a blockage by unspecified debris . TotalEnergies said at the time it would not comment on operations. Officials at the company confirmed today the CDU and reformer were among units shut at Feyzin, but said the halt was planned. They said the CDU had suffered no unexpected blockage or damage. Workers reiterated today that debris had been detected in the CDU and that this could result in a shutdown lasting weeks. Sources familiar with the refinery's operations said today that the bitumen halt would cause no supply disruptions in terms of the usual truck movements, with sufficient stocks held at the plant to meet current low-level requirements during the winter slow activity period in the road paving and other construction sectors. By Fenella Rhodes and Adam Porter Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Mexico inflation slows to 4-year low in January


10/02/25
10/02/25

Mexico inflation slows to 4-year low in January

Mexico City, 10 February (Argus) — Mexico's consumer price index (CPI) eased to an annual 3.59pc January, the lowest in four years, as deceleration in agriculture prices offset faster inflation in energy and consumer goods prices. This marks the lowest annual inflation since January 2021 and a significant slowdown from July's annual peak of 5.57pc, which was driven by weather-impacted food prices. The result, reported by statistics agency Inegi on 7 January, was slightly below than the 3.63pc median estimate from 35 analysts polled in Citi Research's 5 February survey. It compares with the 4.21pc headline inflation in December, marking five months of declines in the past six months. Mexican core inflation, which excluded volatile energy and food, sped slightly to 3.66pc in January from 3.65pc in December, while non-core inflation decelerated to 3.34pc from 5.95pc the previous month. Movement, in the non-core, said Banorte, was mostly explained by a positive basis of comparison, and "will reverse as soon as the second half of February to push the headline metric above 4pc," said Banorte. Core inflation accelerated slightly to 3.66pc in January from 3.65pc in December, marking the second uptick after 22 consecutive months of deceleration. Services inflation slowed to 4.69pc from 4.94pc, while consumer goods inflation ticked up to 2.74 from 2.4pc. Non-core inflation slowed sharply to 3.34pc from 6.57pc in December. This was largely due to base effects, Banorte said, adding these base effects are likely to fade this month to speed headline annual inflation back above 4pc. The base effects most clearly impacted fruit and vegetable price inflation, contracting 7.73pc in January from 6.65pc annual inflation the previous month. Moving forward, agriculture prices are highly exposed to the coming hot, dry season in Mexico, with the La Nina climate phenomenon, adding a layer of uncertainty. Meanwhile, energy inflation accelerated to 6.34pc in January from 5.73pc the previous month, driven by higher LPG prices. Electricity inflation, meanwhile, sped to 4.32pc in January from 2.65pc in December, while inflation slowed to 0.02pc in January for domestic natural gas prices from 5.67pc in December. Monetary policy The January inflation report followed the central bank's decision Thursday to reduce its target interest rate to 9.50pc from 10pc. This was the bank's sixth rate cut since March 2024, winding down from 11.25pc. The 4-1 decision marked an acceleration in the current rate cycle, opting for a half-point reduction rather than the previous five 25-basis-point cuts. In board comments with the announcement, the bank cited "significant progress in resolving the inflationary episode derived from the global shocks" in 2021 and 2022. These triggered rate hikes from 4pc in June 2021 to 11.25pc in April 2022, the target rate's historic high. Taking into account the "country's weak economic activity" and this progress in reducing inflation, the board said it would "consider adjusting [the target] by similar magnitudes" at upcoming meetings. By James Young Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Australia's Beach cuts FY24-25 oil, gas output target


06/02/25
06/02/25

Australia's Beach cuts FY24-25 oil, gas output target

Sydney, 6 February (Argus) — Australian independent Beach Energy has narrowed its oil and gas output guidance for the year to 30 June 2025, given delays in bringing the Western Australian (WA) 250 TJ/d Waitsia gas plant on line. Beach will produce 18.5mn-20.5mn bl of oil equivalent/d (boe/d) in 2024-25, it said in its half-year results to 31 December. It revised the top end of its previous forecast of 17.5mn-21.5mn boe down because of delays at Waitsia, which is operated by joint venture partner Japanese trading house Mitsui. Beach has maintained its guidance for first sales gas at Waitsia in April-June. The Adelaide-based firm last month reported its output at 10.2mn boe in July-December 2024, 15pc higher on the year, leading Beach to raise the bottom end of its guidance. The five Waitsia LNG swap cargoes that Beach has executed to date have brought forward revenue for the firm, which reported A$139mn ($87.1mn) from the two shipped in July-December 2024. A fifth cargo was lifted from Australian independent Woodside Energy's 14.4mn t/yr North West Shelf (NWS) LNG terminal in January, while a possible sixth may occur before the end of June. "We have opportunities for additional swaps in the market and we're looking very closely… I'm hoping to get another [cargo] out before the half-year," chief executive Brett Woods said on 6 February. About 35pc of the gas exported via swap cargoes to date were from Beach's own 20 TJ/d (534,000 m³/d) Xyris gas plant, meaning it will not need to be swapped back, Woods said. Beach expects 8-10 cargoes/yr of Waitsia gas to be shipped until 2028, with scope to further extend the project's LNG exports following the WA government's changes to onshore gas export rules. Waitsia partners hold a gas processing agreement with the NWS JV running until the end of 2028. Beach will start its Offshore Gas Victoria programme in 2025 as part of its ambition to become a major domestic gas supplier. This includes drilling the Hercules gas prospect in Victoria state's offshore Otway basin in April-June, described as a "large scale opportunity" with prospective reserves of 100bn ft³ (280mn m³). No change was made to Beach's 2024-25 capital expenditure guidance of A$700mn-$800mn. By Tom Major Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

India’s LPG use could contract after record 2024


04/02/25
04/02/25

India’s LPG use could contract after record 2024

Consumption is expected to fall as more households take up piped natural gas and LPG subsidies are unwound, writes Rituparna Ghosh Mumbai, 4 February (Argus) — India's LPG consumption may contract this year after reaching another record high in 2024 unless new demand centres for use as a clean cooking fuel emerge, budget documents show and industry officials say. Urban use of LPG as a cooking fuel in India is likely to be further eroded this year by the development of piped natural gas grids while rural sales could be affected if the government decides to remove subsidies. Households account for over 90pc of India's LPG demand. India's overall LPG consumption rose to a record high of 31mn t in 2024, up by 7pc on the year, according to oil ministry data, on the back of an election year that prompted several LPG incentives from the ruling BJP party. The government's target of adding 7.5mn more low-income households under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) subsidy scheme a year ahead of schedule also supported the growth. A total of 329mn households use LPG as of 1 January, government data show. India's LPG imports increased by 13pc to a new high of 21mn t in 2024 on growing consumption and flat production of about 12.8mn t. LPG use in urban areas is expected to contract as piped natural gas (PNG) becomes increasingly available, with household connections rising by 16pc to nearly 14mn last year, according to the oil ministry. PNG for households is subsidised by the government. Delhi expects the rural sector to drive demand growth as more users switch from harmful solid biomass fuels to LPG for cooking. But households that have switched fuel often return to cheaper firewood — a government survey shows that less than half of India's rural households use LPG for cooking, with the annual cylinder refill rate stagnating at three/yr since 2022. The government also plans to reduce LPG subsidies in its latest budget for 2025-26 beginning in April. Subsidies for low-income households will fall by 28pc to 91bn rupees ($1.04bn) in the next fiscal year from Rs127bn in 2024-25. India's overall LPG subsidy declines to Rs121bn from Rs147bn. The decline in subsidies will hurt LPG demand in price-sensitive areas — nearly 129mn people in India were living in extreme poverty in 2024, according to a World Bank report. No poll pull Elections are a major demand driver for LPG in India as federal and state governments often reduce rates or offer free refills during their campaigns. State-run refiners slashed 14.2kg cylinder prices by Rs100/cylinder in August last year to Rs803/cylinder ($9.20/cylinder) in Delhi, where they have remained since. LPG subsidies of Rs300/cylinder were also extended for low-income households, which is due to expire in March. Several state elections in late 2023 announced free cylinders, boosting demand for LPG throughout 2024. But the government may now look to wind down subsidies with no critical elections to contest in the near future, as it did after the 2019 election. Increasing government repayments due to state-run refiners for lowering prices may also force it to raise cylinder prices again, analysts say. The government made no provision in its budget proposal to compensate the refiners for losses incurred in selling domestic LPG to households at below cost. The losses accrued by refiners IOC, BPCL and HPCL from LPG sales during the April-December 2024 period are estimated to be around Rs285bn combined, according to their company reports. This would equate to Rs390bn for the entire fiscal year 2024-25. The oil ministry meanwhile forecasts India's LPG consumption to grow by 4.7pc on the year to 33mn t in 2025-26. India kept 14kg LPG cylinders at Rs803 in Delhi for a 10th consecutive month for January but cut commercial 19kg cylinder rates after five straight months of hikes by Rs14.50 to Rs1,804, according to state-run refiner IOC. India LPG fundamentals Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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