France loses eight August LNG deliveries on diversions

Spanish Market: Natural gas
21/07/26

French terminal operator Elengy removed eight LNG cargoes from its August schedule over the past day, likely because Asian firms outbid European buyers for prompt supply.

France was scheduled to receive 34 cargoes in August as of 20 July, but this fell to 26 by Tuesday morning, terminal operators Fluxys and Elengy's data show. The Montoir facility lost five scheduled deliveries, while Fos Cavaou lost three.

Firms likely diverted cargoes to higher-priced markets such as northeast Asia, despite a tighter Peg-TTF August basis market improving the relative attractiveness of delivering LNG to France. The Peg August contract closed at a €0.15/MWh discount to the TTF on Monday, narrowing sharply from a €0.675/MWh discount on 1 July.

The northwest Europe delivered price for August expired at a $0.048/mn Btu discount to the Peg on 15 July, while the price for deliveries in the second half of August closed at a $0.09/mn Btu discount to the Peg August contract on Monday.

Fluxys — operator of the Dunkirk terminal — added a cargo to its August schedule on 20 July.

France received 24 LNG cargoes in August on average in 2023-25, below the current schedule.

Fluxys removed two July cargoes from its schedule on Tuesday, reducing total expected deliveries by the end of the month to 13. This would be the lowest for any month since January 2021.

In mid-June, 33 cargoes had been scheduled to be delivered to France. This drop reflects the northwest Europe LNG delivery price for July trading at parity with or at a premium to the corresponding French Peg price for much of June, making all deliveries to France unprofitable even before factoring in regasification and entry grid costs.

By Maxim Krukov

Related news posts

Argus illuminates the markets by putting a lens on the areas that matter most to you. The market news and commentary we publish reveals vital insights that enable you to make stronger, well-informed decisions. Explore a selection of news stories related to this one.

23/07/26

Australia's NSW's climate goals need policy support

Sydney, 23 July (Argus) — Australia's New South Wales (NSW) state is unlikely to meet its 2030 and 2035 targets of cutting emissions by 50pc and 70pc from 2005 levels without policy changes, the state government-owned Net Zero Commission stated in its 2026 Annual Progress Report today. The decarbonisation rate in 2023-30 needs to be at 5.5mn t/yr of CO2-equivalent (CO2e), more than 2.5 times faster than the 2.1mn t CO2e/yr achieved in 2004-23. The rate is higher than an earlier pathway the commission indicated in March . NSW will now need to reduce its annual emissions by 38.5mn t of CO2e by 2030 from 2022–23 levels to reach its legislated target, and by a further 30.4mn t CO2e by 2035. The trajectory is steeper in-part because reported emissions increased by 7mn t CO2e between 2021–22 and 2022–23, driven by growth in transport, resources, and agriculture alongside declining land-sector carbon storage. Only data up to 2023 was available when the commission produced the report. "Although the direction is clear for NSW to achieve the 2030 target, the renewable roll-out is behind schedule and delayed closures of coal-fired power stations strongly impact emissions," the commission said. NSW must accelerate energy development approvals to build sufficient renewable generation, storage, and transmission capacity to maintain system security as coal-fired power stations close. The NSW government tabled legislation in May to fast-track approvals for priority renewable generation , storage and transmission projects as it seeks to replace retiring coal-fired generation capacity. The state should also back electrification by supporting a faster rollout of EV charging networks and introducing requirements for new industrial loads, such as data centres, to rely on additional renewable energy sources from the outset, the commission said. The commission explicitly warned that continued expansions of coal mines and the rapid growth of energy-intensive data centres pose a significant risk to the state's climate goals. It noted that coal mine extensions are "not consistent" with legislated targets, while the Australian Energy Market Operator (Aemo) forecasts data centres will add 8TWh to annual NSW electricity demand by 2035, equivalent to 13pc of current demand. Apart from electricity, the government must prioritise cutting methane pollution, which accounts for 30pc of the state's emissions. This can be achieved through practical solutions in the livestock, coal mining, and waste sectors, including scaling feed additives, increasing landfill gas capture, and mandated on-site abatement at mines, the commission said. The advice follows the March release of the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) rules requiring underground coal miners to cut methane emissions. The government has also recently supported emissions reductions through new investment in clean manufacturing and projects to expand domestic production capacity and attract investment into sectors including biofuels and renewable energy. By Lawrence Wen NSW Net Zero Commission revisions March 2026 Advice July 2026 Annual Progress Report Inventory Reference Year 2021–22 2022–23 Methane share of total NSW Emission 29pc 30pc Gap to 2030 Target (Reduction Needed) 35.0mn t CO2e 38.5mn t CO2e Gap to 2035 Target (Additional from 2030) 30.0mn t CO2e 30.4mn t CO2e Source: NSW Net Zero Commission Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

US-assisted Hormuz transits drop to zero

22/07/26

US-assisted Hormuz transits drop to zero

New York, 22 July (Argus) — Vessel traffic through the strait of Hormuz on the US-assisted southern transit route stopped completely in the past day following increased Iranian attacks on vessels at the start of the week. Out of the 10 vessels that transited the strait of Hormuz on 21 July, eight vessels took the Iran-favored northern transit route, while two vessels transited through the center transit lane where most traffic passed before the war, data from vessel tracking service Windward shows. Vessel traffic through the center transit lane has been uncommon since the breakout of the war because of suspected Iranian-placed mines throughout the area. Commercial traffic through the strait of Hormuz since the outbreak of the war on 28 February has been bifurcated between the northern route, which runs along the Iranian coastline, and the southern route along the Omani coast. Transits through the US supported southern traffic lane has been steadily falling following the reprisal of attacks between the US and Iran and slowing traffic through the strait. On 20 July only two vessels out of 15 that transited the strait used the southern transit lanes, according to Tradewind data. This is down sharply from 24 June, the day when vessel transits through the strait of Hormuz reached their highest since the signing of the US-Iran memorandum of understanding that temporarily stopped the fighting, with 25 out of the 41 outbound vessels transiting the strait doing so on the southern lane. The UK Trade Maritime Organization (UKTMO) reported three attacks on tankers transiting through the strait of Hormuz between 20 and 21 July, all occurring in the southern transit lane. Centcom did not respond to a request for comment on whether the US was still offering assistance for commercial vessels looking to transit via the southern lane. Iran amps up Hormuz rhetoric, operations Iranian politicians on Wednesday reaffirmed their commitment to controlling the strait of Hormuz, likely in response to President Donald Trump's vow to bomb Iranian power plants and bridges every time Iran strikes commercial ships in Hormuz. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC-N) reiterated its position that it controls the strait of Hormuz via a social media post on X today. "The input and output of the strait of Hormuz are specified and under our definitive control," the IRGC-N said. "Alternative routes are unsafe and dangerous; we warn against their use, as it will have severe and irreparable consequences." "We have repeatedly said that the situation of the strait will not return to pre-war conditions," said Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who headed previous negotiations with the US, in a 22 July post on X. Iranian actions to control traffic in the strait are also evolving. Satellite imagery shows the tanker Kavomaleas , part of Greek shipowner Dynacom's fleet, has been seized by Iran and brought to Iranian waters near Larak. The vessel was attacked by Iranian forces on 20 July , with the crew confirmed safe, according to UKTMO. This is the first reported instance of a vessel attacked by Iran in the strait of Hormuz getting escorted into Iranian waters. "A large IRGC fast in-shore attack craft presence plus one small craft positioned directly alongside the tanker is assessed consistent with an escorted move toward Iranian waters rather than an uncontrolled drift," Windward said. By Charlotte Bawol Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

New UK PM unlikely to change energy policy direction

22/07/26

New UK PM unlikely to change energy policy direction

Burnham has hinted he could be open-minded about North Sea production, while sticking to a broader decarbonisation agenda, writes Lucas Waelbroeck Boix London, 22 July (Argus) — The appointment of Andy Burnham as the UK's new prime minister is not expected to significantly shift the country's course on decarbonisation and the future of its oil and gas drilling in the North Sea, despite mounting pressure from lobby groups and unions supporting the new leader. Burnham took office as prime minister on 20 July after being the only candidate seeking to replace Keir Starmer, who announced his resignation on 22 June . The ensuing cabinet reshuffle saw former defence minister John Healey taking over the Treasury and Miatta Fahnbulleh appointed as energy minister , replacing Ed Miliband who became foreign secretary. The new prime minister is yet to provide much detail about the policies he intends to pursue in office, but in the energy field he is unlikely to steer sharply away from his predecessor's course. Burnham has pledged to stick to Labour's 2024 election manifesto, which includes commitments to not issue fresh licences to explore new fields and to ban fracking. But in an interview with UK broadcaster the BBC in May, he hinted he could be open-minded about North Sea production, while sticking to a broader decarbonisation agenda. "I am listening to what people are saying about that," he said. "But I don't think it's in our interest to focus on time-limited industries." Ahead of Starmer's resignation, the UK was poised to introduce an Energy Independence Bill, which would permanently ban new exploration licences in the North Sea but allow firms to produce gas from areas adjacent to licensed blocks under proposed Transitional Energy Certificates. The aim of the new system is to maximise output from existing offshore fields. "Issuing new licences to explore new fields cannot give us energy security and will not take a penny off bills," a government spokesperson told Argus last week. "Oil and gas production will be with us for decades to come and we will manage existing fields for the entirety of their lifespan while actively scaling up clean energy industries in the North Sea," the spokesperson said. Fahnbulleh had previously served under Starmer in the more junior role of parliamentary undersecretary of state for devolution, faith and communities, but was the first minister to resign in the aftermath of the local elections in May this year, which yielded a disastrous result for the Labour party and ultimately led to Starmer's decision to resign. She leans on the left of the Labour party and favours strong decarbonisation policies, with her parliamentary record showing she voted in favour of the Energy Profits Levy windfall tax on North Sea oil and gas firms, and in favour of measures to combat climate change. Rough seas A joint report by think-tank the New Economics Foundation (NEF) and climate activist group Friends of the Earth — issued in 2021 when Fahnbulleh was NEF chief executive — concluded that the government "must immediately end support for new fossil fuel extraction projects, both at home and abroad". The report included calls for the government to cancel all future North Sea licensing rounds, revoke all undeveloped licences and reject new development consent applications. The future of oil and gas drilling in the North Sea has been a controversial policy issue for the Starmer government, particularly following the outbreak of the war in Iran, which reignited energy security concerns. The new prime minister faces pressure from several groups — including Labour-friendly unions GMB and Unite, alongside energy industry association Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) — arguing in favour of homegrown energy sources to reduce reliance on imports and support domestic industries. "Increasing our reliance on imported energy from overseas… leaves us worryingly exposed," GMB union general secretary Gary Smith said on 14 July. "We fully support the government's ambition to build a secure, lower-carbon energy system, but energy transition must follow an all-energy approach," OEUK chief executive David Whitehouse told Argus, adding that North Sea production is not just a commitment to homegrown energy but also a commitment to UK manufacturing. While the new cabinet appears unlikely to reverse a manifesto pledge without first facing a general election, it may consider giving approval to the development of two fields that have been stuck in a limbo since Labour took office in 2024 — the Rosebank oil and gas field and the Shell-operated Jackdaw gas project. The previous Conservative government approved both fields ahead of the last election, with proponents arguing that both could go ahead without breaching the Labour commitment. The Jackdaw field in the North Sea was originally expected to start up in the second half of 2025 and reach peak production this year of 4.85mn m³/d of gas alongside 7,500 b/d of condensate. But its timeline has slipped by at least one year and is still subject to regulatory approvals. The Rosebank oil and gas field, located west of the Shetland Islands, is estimated to hold around 300mn bl of oil equivalent, most of which is crude oil. Norwegian state-controlled Equinor, the majority stakeholder in the field, started drilling at the end of the first quarter, targeting seven wells over 18 months. But drilling halted in April because of a fault with the rig that will take 3-4 months to fix, the company said in May. The two projects may be approved as part of a compromise with unions and the industry rather than a full policy reversal. In March, Unite had called for the government to "stop blocking oil and gas production in the North Sea" and to immediately give the go-ahead for Rosebank and Jackdaw. The union's position on the issue has not changed, even though a reversal of the oil and gas ban did not feature in its list of demands that was part of its conditional nomination of Burnham, Unite told Argus. The Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning launched a public consultation on Jackdaw earlier this month, which runs until 10 August. Further consultation will also be required on Rosebank after its environmental impact assessment is reviewed on 23 July. In any event, the impact of the two projects may be largely symbolic. And in the unlikely event of a policy U-turn on North Sea exploration, a reversal of the region's production decline is unlikely to be achieved easily. Production from the UK offshore is in long-term decline, with government officials describing it as a mature basin. UK offshore production fell to 77.7mn m³/d last year from 80.3mn m³/d in 2024 and is expected to plunge to 58.4mn m³/d this year, according to recent forecasts from the North Sea Transition Authority. The Burnham question In the near-term, Burnham is more likely to focus on measures aimed at lowering retail energy prices and bringing the energy industry under more public control. In his first day in office, Burnham scrapped the 5pc value-added tax on household electricity bills from 1 October, in a bid to reduce costs for households. The government expects the cut to take around £45/yr ($60/yr) off the October energy price cap, on top of the £150 removed from bills at the last budget. The cut follows the Starmer government's move earlier in the year aimed at delinking gas and power prices by extending long-term fixed-price contracts to low-carbon generators not already on contracts for difference. Fahnbulleh and Burnham align in their belief that the state should expand its control through tougher regulation and greater public ownership of basic needs such as electricity, gas and water. Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Iranian vessels violate blockade, transit Hormuz

21/07/26

Iranian vessels violate blockade, transit Hormuz

New York, 21 July (Argus) — Vessels are continuing to violate the US imposed blockade on Iranian ports while commercial traffic through the strait of Hormuz remains overwhelmingly controlled by Iran, despite US official's claims to the contrary. The US Central Command (Centcom) said it redirected seven commercial vessels and disabled one to prevent ships from leaving or entering Iranian ports as of 20 July. And today US president Donald Trump told reporters during a meeting with Lebanese president Joseph Aoun that the blockade was "... like a steel wall" and that no ships were getting through. But data from vessel tracking service Vortexa shows that nine vessels departing or heading to Iran ports have transited through the strait of Hormuz since the US blockade was reimposed on 14 July. Of those nine vessels, six were empty inbound tankers that hold a combined carrying capacity of around 2.35mn bl of crude and refined products. Commercial vessels transiting the strait of Hormuz have also overwhelmingly continued to use the Iranian-favored northern transit route, following an increase in attacks on vessels using the US-sanctioned southern traffic lane that runs along the coast of Oman. Out of 11 strait of Hormuz transits into the Mideast Gulf on 20 July, 10 were through the northern, Iranian-controlled route while only one transited the southern, US-supported corridor, according to data from vessel tracking firm Windward. Of the vessels exiting the Mideast Gulf, three utilized Iran's northern route on 20 July and one used the southern route. Iran-flagged vessels were also the most common vessels crossing the waterway on 20 July, accounting for six out of 15 total transits, per Windward data. Vessel traffic through the strait remains at around 11pc of prewar levels, according to Windward. "US-assisted commercial transits continued with fewer ships, reflecting heightened operator risk assessments under the elevated threat environment," the UK Trade Maritime Organization said in its 21 July advisory note. "Recent attacks on tankers in Omani waters further influenced operator behavior and contributed to significantly reduced traffic density." By Charlotte Bawol Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

German gas storage sites hit 45pc fill level

20/07/26

German gas storage sites hit 45pc fill level

London, 20 July (Argus) — German gas storage sites reached a 45pc fill level last week, but slow net injections have stalled the country's stockbuild as tight price differentials diverted supply away from Germany. Net injections averaged 461 GWh/d on 11-17 July, broadly unchanged on the week but well below the three-year average of 680 GWh/d for the period. Combined German storage sites held 112TWh as of Sunday morning, a 45pc fill level, below the 2023-25 average of 189TWh, GIE transparency platform data show. Net injections bottomed out on 17 July at just 109GWh — the slowest stockbuild for any day since firms net withdrew 83GWh on 20 May. The country is not on track to meet its 70pc fill target by 1 November, although it could technically do so as companies have booked around 76pc of Germany's storage capacity, GIE transparency data show. Firms would need to inject 583 GWh/d to hit the target, well above the past two-week pace and the 388 GWh/d 2023-25 average rate. To fill sites to booked capacity, as recommended by storage association Ines, net injections would need to average 725 GWh/d until the deadline. Injections slowed as Germany received less supply from Norway and the Netherlands for a second consecutive week . Germany imported 1.07 TWh/d from Norway on 11-17 July, unchanged from a week earlier but down from 1.2 TWh/d in the period last year. Norway has been diverting supply away from Germany to the Netherlands as tight TTF-THE differentials favoured quicker flows to the Dutch market . Dutch-German exports remained subdued at an average of 387 GWh/d, up from 348 GWh/d a week earlier but well below 629 GWh/d a year earlier. Tight differentials with the Belgian ZTP have weighed on Belgian-German flows ( see table ). Imports from Belgium averaged 604 GWh/d on 11-17 July, down from 650 GWh/d a week earlier. Inflows from Belgium were 662 on 11-17 July 2025. But German exports to eastern Europe and Italy have not slowed despite reduced supply. Flows to the Czech Republic averaged 274 GWh/d last week, easing from 278 GWh/d the week before and 400 GWh/d a year earlier. Combined flows to Austria were 287 GWh/d, edging down on the week from 291 GWh/d. A widening Italian PSV premium to the THE has led to higher German flows to Italy via Switzerland of 178 GWh/d on 11-17 July from 57 GWh/d a week earlier. The German government has signalled a strong preference against intervention, but market area manager THE retains authority to step in if market-based filling becomes impossible. THE would intervene only at the "point of no return" — when it becomes clear that the market will definitely not meet targets. By Alejandro Moreano THE everyday price spreads to other European markets €/MWh Time period THE-TTF THE-ZTP THE-Austrian VTP THE-Czech VTP THE-PSV 11-17 July 2026 0.299 0.354 -0.834 -1.182 3.116 4-10 July 2026 0.259 0.435 -0.780 -1.211 3.049 11-17 July 2025 1.269 1.477 -2.711 -1.243 1.350 — Argus Storage movements and flows GWh/d Norwegian exports to Germany and the Netherlands GWh/d Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Argus Hydrogen Analytics

A quarterly analytics service delivering global clean hydrogen demand, supply and production cost forecasts to 2040, covering sectors and regions worldwide.

Argus Renewable Gas and Power

Electricity and gas energy attribute certificate prices, news, analysis and market data, bringing transparency to voluntary and compliance energy transition markets globally.

Argus North American Long-Term Electricity Forward Curves

Independent market valuation tool to support investment and trading decisions on North American Electricity markets

Argus Carbon

Benchmarks de precios del carbono, noticias sobre políticas y proyectos, y análisis exhaustivos, a diario.

Argus North American Long-Term Natural Gas Forward Curves

Independent market valuation tool to support investment and trading decisions on North America Electricity markets

Business intelligence reports

Get concise, trustworthy and unbiased analysis of the latest trends and developments in oil and energy markets. These reports are specially created for decision makers who don’t have time to track markets day-by-day, minute-by-minute.

Learn more