FERC approves more gas pipelines in southeast US

Spanish Market: Electricity, Emissions, Metals, Natural gas
10/09/26

The $1bn Kosciusko Junction pipeline expansion and an uprate of a pipeline supplying Plaquemines LNG are the latest major natural gas projects the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has approved in the southeast US.

FERC approved the two projects on Thursday, the latest action in a continued build-out of gas pipeline capacity in southeastern states that are facing surging gas demand from power plants and LNG export terminals. On 31 July, the agency separately approved Kinder Morgan's $3.5bn South System Expansion 4 project and its $1.7bn Mississippi Crossing project, two related projects that will transport up to 2.1 Bcf/d of gas from Mississippi to Georgia. The White House finished federal permitting of the Mississippi Crossing project earlier this week.

"There's a clear need to expand the natural gas pipeline network in the region to secure affordable, reliable energy for the families and businesses located there," FERC chairman Laura Swett said Thursday at the agency's open meeting.

The Kosciusko Junction project, backed by US midstream operator Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, is set to add 1.2 Bcf/d of capacity to company's existing Gulf South system, transporting more gas from shale production areas to delivery markets in the southeast. US utility Southern Company has signed a 20-year deal for two-thirds of the new capacity, which it plans to use to meet rising demand for electricity. Swett said the agency expedited its review to approve the project within a year.

The uprate to the gas pipeline supplying Plaquemines LNG will not require new construction but instead allow project developer Venture Global to increase gas flows on its existing Gator Express pipeline. Venture Global said it has found the "frictional loss" of the pipeline was lower than expected based on actual operations, which will allow the company to increase its design capacity by 627mn cf/d to 4.6 Bcf/d.

FERC has stopped "weaponizing" federal environmental reviews to slow down pipeline approvals, agency commissioner David LaCerte, a Republican, said. "There is no longer a never-ending swamp of cumulative effects analysis to force industry to navigate," he said.

By Chris Knight

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11/09/26

Mexico July industrial output up on transport, builders

Houston, 11 September (Argus) — Mexico's industrial production expanded by 0.5pc in July from the previous month, driven by solid advances in construction and manufacturing. The July increase in Mexico's industrial activity indicator (IMAI), reported Friday by statistics agency Inegi, marked the third monthly gain in four months and gave further indication of recovery in construction. The result follows 0.2pc expansion in June and a 0.7pc contraction in May. Manufacturing rose by 0.7pc in July, only its third gain of the year, with 12 of its 21 subsectors showing gains. The sector contracted 0.6pc in June after a 0.1pc drop in May. The heavily weighted transport equipment segment rose 1.2pc in July after falling 3.1pc in June, its first decline since January. Output of computer, communications and electronic equipment rose by 1.8pc, marking five consecutive months of expansion. Output of electrical generating equipment fell by 0.2pc Mining, in contrast, declined 1.8pc, with "related services" acting as the main drag, declining 15.2pc in July, while oil-related and non-oil extraction each fell by 0.3pc. Generation, transmission and distribution of electricity, natural gas and water was unchanged on the month in July, after rising 0.9pc in June, the sector's only monthly expansion of 2026. Construction, which accounts for fifth of the index, expanded by 0.9pc in July after growing 3pc in June. Within the sector, new building construction rose by 1.3pc in July after a upward revised 5pc in June. Civil engineering, however, fell for a second consecutive month, down 3.8pc in July after a revised downward 3.4pc decline in June, suggesting slower going on major infrastructure projects, such as Mexico's Ps157bn ($7.7bn), nearly 1,900-mile railroad expansion initiative. The specialized construction segment, meanwhile, rose 3.1pc in July after modest declines in June and May. Industrial production pushed farther into positive territory on an annual basis at the start of the third quarter, growing 2.7pc in July in unadjusted terms from a year prior. All four main sectors posted gains in July with construction the top performer, up 7.3pc, followed by manufacturing and mining, both rising 1.6pc, and utilities rising just 0.6pc. By James Young Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Hormuz vessel traffic at 10 Thursday: Windward

11/09/26

Hormuz vessel traffic at 10 Thursday: Windward

New York, 11 September (Argus) — Vessel traffic through the strait of Hormuz fell to a one-week low on Thursday while Iran continues to crack down on shipping in the southern traffic lane. Vessel traffic through the strait of Hormuz on Thursday fell to 10 crossings, with four inbound transits on the southern US-assisted lane and two on the northern Iranian-controlled lane, according to data from vessel tracking firm Windward. The four remaining trips were outbound, with all but one taking place on the southern lane, Windward data shows. This was the lowest daily traffic volume through the strait since 4 September, and was near 7.5pc of levels prior to the joint US-Israeli attacks on Iran that prompted the "closure" of the strait of Hormuz. Iran has stepped up attacks on vessels in the southern lane, including two attacks on Thursday reported by the UK Maritime Trade Organisation. By Charlotte Bawol Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

US inflation holds steady, energy rises in August

11/09/26

US inflation holds steady, energy rises in August

Houston, 11 September (Argus) — US headline inflation held steady in August while energy prices ticked up, maintaining pressure on the Federal Reserve for a likely rate hike next week as it battles to stem inflationary pressures uncorked by the Mideast Gulf war. The consumer price index (CPI) rose at an annual 3.4pc pace in August, according to Labor Department data released today. That followed a 3.4pc pace in July that was down from 3.5pc in June. Core inflation, which strips out volatile food and energy, eased to a 2.4pc annual pace, compared with a 2.5pc rate in July. "A September rate hike is now very likely, but a tightening cycle looks unwarranted," Pantheon Macroeconomics said in a note after the report. "We think the most likely outcome is that September's rate hike will be a one-time tightening." Prior to the report, the CME FedWatch tool showed a greater than 70pc probability Federal Reserve policymakers will raise the target rate by a quarter point at its meeting on 16 September. The Fed has kept its target rate unchanged through five meetings this year amid mounting tariff and Gulf war uncertainty after lowering it three times late last year. The energy index rose by an annual 16.3pc in August, compared with 14.7pc in July. Energy commodities rose by 28pc in August compared with 24.7pc in July. Gasoline rose by 27.4pc on the year, up from 24.6pc the prior month. Fuel oil rose by 52pc following a 39.1pc gain in July. Piped gas services rose by 4.4pc on the year, following 4.3pc in July. The food index rose at an annual 2.7pc in August following a 3pc pace in July. Shelter rose at a 3pc pace, slowing from 3.2pc in July. Services less energy services, considered a core reading of service prices, was unchanged at a 3pc pace. New vehicle prices rose by 0.6pc in August on the year, compared with a 0.5pc rate in July, while used vehicles prices fell by 2.4pc in August compared with a 1.9pc decline in July. Medical care services rose at a 2.5pc annual rate in August compared with a 2.7pc pace in July. Transportation services rose by 2.4pc in August, slowing from 2.9pc. Airline fares rose by an annual 23pc in August, compared with 25.5pc the prior month. On a monthly basis, CPI rose by 0.4pc in August, after creeping up by 0.1pc in July, while the core index rose by 0.3pc for the month after a 0.2pc gain the month prior. By Bob Willis Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Australia's Pilbara iron ore exports rise in August

11/09/26

Australia's Pilbara iron ore exports rise in August

Sydney, 11 September (Argus) — Iron ore exports from the ports of Port Hedland and Dampier in the Pilbara region of Western Australia (WA) rose by 2pc on the year in August because of higher shipments to South Korea and Indonesia. Producers shipped 59.4mn t of iron ore from Port Hedland and Dampier in August, port data released on 11 September show (see table) . Exports from Port Hedland rose by 5pc on the year to 46.6mn t, while shipments from Dampier fell by 7pc on the year to 12.8mn t. Port Hedland's exports to China, the dominant buyer of Australian iron ore, fell by 2pc on the year to 38mn t. China's iron ore imports were up on the year in August , but the increase was partially driven by record shipments from the Simandou project in Guinea, which shipped its first cargo in December 2025. Declining steel production also continued to curb iron ore consumption in the country. Port Hedland exported 4.1mn t of iron ore to South Korea, up by 105pc on the year. South Korean iron ore demand was likely supported by an increase in domestic automobile production. The port shipped 27.7mn t to South Korea in January-August, up by 13pc on the year. But the country's transition from blast furnaces to electric-arc furnaces, which use scrap metal instead of iron ore as a feedstock, could weigh on future iron ore demand. Shipments to Indonesia rose by 83pc on the year to 1.1mn t in August. Port Hedland shipped 5.3mn t of iron ore to Indonesia in January-August, up by 36pc on the year. Steel demand from southeast Asia is growing structurally due to urbanisation, population growth, ongoing infrastructure and housing programmes, and growth in steel-intensive manufacturing, which should support demand for iron ore. The two ports shipped 474mn t of iron ore in January-August, flat on the year. Argus last assessed 58pc iron ore fines at $85.30/dry metric tonne (dmt) cfr Qingdao on 10 September, down by $2.10/t on the week. By Emma Partis Pilbara iron ore exports mn t Aug '26 Aug '25 y-o-y ± % Jan-Aug '26 Jan-Aug '25 YTD ± % Port Hedland China 38 39 -2 318.2 325.3 -2 Indonesia 1 1 83 5.3 3.9 36 Japan 2 2 0 14.6 13.6 7 South Korea 4 2 105 27.7 24.5 13 Total* 47 44 5 375.5 378.3 -1 Dampier Total 13 14 -7 98.5 95.8 3 Combined Total 59 58 2 474.0 474.1 0 *Total includes countries not listed Source: Pilbara Ports Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Vulcan Energy gets second German Li project licence

11/09/26

Vulcan Energy gets second German Li project licence

Sydney, 11 September (Argus) — Australia-listed lithium developer Vulcan Energy has secured a second production licence for its 24,000 t/yr Lionheart lithium hydroxide project in Germany's Upper Rhine Valley brine field. The six-year licence covers Vulcan's Landau geothermal production area, which is already producing geothermal heat, the company said on 11 September. Vulcan estimates that Lionheart will supply 275 GWh/yr of renewable power and 560 GWh/yr of renewable heat over a 30-year project life. Lionheart's first six-year production licence , covering Vulcan's Insheim geothermal production area, was granted in March. The company plans to combine both licences into a single 30-year licence before expiry in 2032. Lionheart remains on track to start production in 2028, Vulcan said. The company is also developing the separate Project Ludwig to produce 21,100 t/yr of battery-grade lithium carbonate in Germany's Ludwigshafen region. The company will not reach a final investment decision on Project Ludwig until after Lionheart begins production. By Daniel Gage-Brown Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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