Petrobras FPSO starts operations in Santos

: Crude oil, Natural gas
22/12/21

State-controlled Petrobras' P-71 floating production, storage, and offloading unit (FPSO) has started operations at the Itapu pre-salt oil field in the offshore Santos basin.

The new FPSO will produce 150,000 b/d of crude and process up to 6mn m³/d of natural gas.

P-71 is the last delivery of six high-production units that feature technologies for emissions reduction, such as a system to reduce gas flaring.

Petrobras has plans for 14 new FPSOs in addition to P-71 in six fields between 2022-26 and has earmarked $57.3bn for exploration and production.

FPSO Guanabara is the only other platform of the 15 that has started production. FPSOs Anita Garibaldi and Anna Nery, bound for the Marlim and Voador post-salt oil fields in the Campos basin, have left China and are heading to Brazil.

FPSO Almirante Tamandare has arrived in the Buzios pre-salt field, while the Almirante Barroso platform, also heading for Buzios, arrived in Brazilian waters earlier this month. The remaining nine units are under construction.

By Rebecca Gompertz

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25/12/23

Mexico's trade surplus widens in Nov

Mexico City, 23 December (Argus) — Mexico's trade surplus widened slightly in November from the previous month, despite sharp declines in both exports and imports in the non-oil category. Mexico posted a $663mn trade surplus in November, statistics agency Inegi said, up from a $606mn surplus in October, though on lower overall trade volumes. Total exports reached $56.4bn, while imports stood at $55.7bn, compared with $66.1bn and $65.5bn, respectively, in October. The result contrasted with the $391mn deficit forecast by Mexican bank Banorte. Inegi attributed the wider surplus to an increase in the non-oil trade surplus to $2.84bn in November from $2.74bn in October, alongside a widening of the oil trade deficit to $2.18bn from $2.13bn. Within non-oil trade, manufacturing exports fell by 16pc to $52.1bn in November from the prior month, while automotive exports declined by 2.2pc to $15.8bn, following a 4.8pc increase in October. The US absorbed 79pc of Mexico's light vehicle exports from January-November, with Mexico supplying 17pc of total US auto imports over the 11-month period, according to Mexican auto industry association AMDA. The "others" component of non-oil manufacturing exports dropped by 20pc to $36.3bn in November, nearly erasing October's 23pc gain to $45.5bn. The cumulative impact of US tariffs on Mexican goods is becoming clearer. Mexican bank Banco Base estimates the US levied an effective 4.69pc tariff on Mexican goods through September — below the 25pc blanket rate due to exemptions for goods complying with the USMCA free trade agreement. "The low tariffs have allowed Mexican exports to continue growing, particularly computer equipment, which rose by 83.39pc year to date through September compared with the same period in 2024, with a tariff of just 0.17pc," the bank said. Those "contrast sharply with passenger cars, which face a 15.29pc tariff," which maintain expectations of 7pc annual export growth in 2025, according to the bank. Agricultural exports rose by 3.8pc to $1.4bn in November after increases of 7.2pc in October and 4.1pc in September. Oil-related exports totaled $1.55bn in November, down from $1.82bn in October, including $1.03bn in crude and $514mn in refined products on lower prices and volumes. Mexico's crude export basket averaged $57.66/bl, down by $0.84/bl from October and $8.09/bl lower compared with a year earlier. Crude export volumes fell to 597,000 b/d in November from 717,000 b/d in October, remaining well below the 1.088mn b/d exported in November 2024. By James Young Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Viewpoint: Canadian heavy TMX crude to grow into Asia

25/12/23

Viewpoint: Canadian heavy TMX crude to grow into Asia

Houston, 23 December (Argus) — Heavy sour Canadian crude exports are likely to expand further into the Asia-Pacific market in 2026 as Canadian output increases and US west coast refinery closures weaken US demand. Around two-thirds of all Canadian crude exports from the 890,000 b/d Trans Mountain pipeline system were destined to Asia-Pacific year-to-date November 2025, with the balance heading to the US west coast. Just over three-quarters of the 375,000 b/d of Canadian heavy crude exports from Vancouver were destined to Asia-Pacific year-to-date November 2025, according to data from analytics firms Vortexa and Kpler. The balance out of the Trans Mountain system headed to the US west coast. This is up from a roughly 60/40 split in the second half of 2024 following the 540,000 b/d Trans Mountain Expansion (TMX) startup in May of that year. US west coast customers received 80,000 b/d of heavy sour Canadian crude during the first 11 months of 2025, 25pc less than the second half of 2024. This is despite total heavy exports from Vancouver averaging 27pc higher this year so far. Heavy crude exports are expected to keep growing in 2026 as increased western Canadian production meets limited southbound pipeline capacity to the US. In January 2026, Canadian pipeline operator Enbridge rejected 13pc of heavy and light crude nominations on its 3.1mn b/d Mainline to the US as Alberta production surges in the colder months. But the Trans Mountain system has accepted all crude nominations since TMX came on line in May 2024 and the system has room to export more crude. Trans Mountain reported that the pipeline ran at 87pc capacity in the third quarter of 2025 . Canadian crude and condensate production is projected to average a record-high of 4.85mn b/d in 2026, 80,000 b/d above 2025 levels, according to Argus Consulting, a division of Argus Media. China thirst for heavy grows Any increase in exports is expected to head towards the Asia-Pacific region, specifically China. Chinese interest in heavy crude is expected to grow next year as refineries bring on line increasingly advanced cracking units to improve petrochemical yields . This increase in petrochemical output will come at the expense of road fuels, as rising electric vehicle use and low construction-sector activity hit Chinese gasoline and diesel demand. Heavy Canadian crude tends to be the most competitively-priced, unsanctioned option for Chinese refiners. Asia-Pacific buyers more generally have sought Canadian heavy crude as a substitute for restrained supplies of heavy sour Venezuelan Merey and Arab Heavy. Saudi Arabia's state-owned Saudi Aramco may be keeping more heavy crude for refining, while market confidence in Merey supply is weak following a US seizure of an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela on 10 December and the US declaring a blockage on Venezuela exports on 16 December. Meanwhile, shipments of Arab Heavy have dropped by 280,000 b/d to around 560,000 b/d this year, according to Vortexa data. As Asia-Pacific interest in Canadian crude continues to grow, US west coast demand will continue to fall. On the heels of Phillips 66 closing its 139,000 b/d Los Angeles, California, refinery, Valero is likely to shutter its 145,000 b/d Benicia refinery near San Francisco in April 2026. Valero is evaluating alternatives for its 85,000 b/d Wilmington refinery in Los Angeles. At the start of 2025, these three refineries made up 23pc of Californian refinery capacity, and combined took 30,000 b/d of Cold Lake during January-June 2025, according to EIA data. As available Canadian crude supplies grow, the ability to fully load Aframax vessels at the Westridge Marine Terminal in British Colombia will allow increased volumes to be exported. Dredging at the terminal is set to be completed by late 2026 or early 2027. Draft restrictions limit most Aframax vessels to around 550,000 bl at the terminal for heavy crude, and 600,000 bl for some lighter crudes. Post-dredging, those same ships could carry around 700,000-750,000 bl. In the long term, Trans Mountain is looking to boost pipeline flows to meet the increased shipping capacity, including the use of drag-reducing agents that should add another 85,000-90,000 b/d by 2027 to pipeline capacity, according to Trans Mountain. By John Cordner Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Ausblick Biomethan: Chancen und Hindernisse im EU-Markt

25/12/23

Ausblick Biomethan: Chancen und Hindernisse im EU-Markt

Hamburg, 23 December (Argus) — Der europäische Biomethanmarkt wird in 2026 ein regional ungleichmäßiges Wachstum verzeichnen. Verzögerte Umsetzungen der RED III und ungelöste politische Fragen bremsen den Markthochlauf. Gleichzeitig bleibt die Schifffahrt ein zentraler Nachfragetreiber — vor allem für zertifiziertes, subventioniertes Biomethan. Die überarbeitete EU-Richtlinie für erneuerbare Energien (RED III) gibt den Mitgliedstaaten bis 2030 zwei Optionen, um die Klimaschutzziele der EU zu erreichen: Entweder können die Staaten ihre Treibhausgasemissionen bis 2030 um 14,5 % zu senken, oder sie können einen Anteil von 29 % ihres Energiebedarfs aus erneuerbaren Quellen decken. RED II verlangte lediglich einen Anteil von 14 % erneuerbarer Energien. Einige Länder wie Deutschland haben ihre nationalen Umsetzungspläne der Vorgaben von RED III bereits vorgestellt und planen, diese im kommenden Jahr umzusetzen. Mehrere Länder wie die Niederlande oder Frankreich setzen zukünftig auch auf ein THG-System, wie es in Deutschland nun schon seit Jahren existiert. Biomethan mit niedriger oder negativer Kohlenstoffintensität wird damit zum bevorzugten Kraftstoff, um die Verpflichtungen zu erfüllen — vor allem in den Niederlanden, wo es bisher hinter vergleichsweise günstigeren Biokraftstoffen zurückblieb. Eine weitere EU-Verordnung, die den Einsatz von Biomethan begünstigt, ist FuelEU Maritime. Diese trat im Januar 2025 in Kraft und verpflichtet Reedereien, die Emissionen ihrer Flotten in den Jahren 2025 und 2026 um jeweils 2 % pro Jahr zu senken. Übererfüllung kann über Pooling-Systeme vermarktet werden. Dies hat sich für das Bunkering von Bio-LNG in 2025 als besonders profitabel erweisen. Die Regelung hat die Preise für Herkunftsnachweise (HKNs, oder englisch: RGGOs) stark beeinflusst und dürfte 2026 weiter für Dynamik sorgen. Neue Systeme, entweder unter RED III oder nationalen Verpflichtungen, die 2026 in Kraft treten, werden Nachfrage erzeugen, die mit dem Bedarf aus der Schifffahrt um das Angebot konkurrieren muss. Der größte Teil des niederländischen und dänischen Biomethanangebots für 2026 ist bereits für den maritimen Sektor vorgesehen. Wachstum in den Niederlanden Neben der Umstellung auf die THG-basierte Verpflichtung im Rahmen des sogenannten ERE-Zertifikatssystem unter RED III haben die Niederlande im November mit der Arbeit an einer "Green Gas Blending Obligation" begonnen. Eine Umsetzung vor Ende 2027 erscheint zwar unwahrscheinlich, doch die Pläne stützen vorerst die Preise für HKNs. Die Liquidität von niederländischem Biomethan könnte steigen, wenn die Regierung die Massenbilanzierung von Biomethan genehmigt. Ein entsprechender Antrag wurde im November im Parlament eingebracht, doch eine jüngste Regierungsantwort deutet darauf hin, dass dieser nicht von Erfolg gekrönt sein wird. Bio-LNG muss, wie auch in Deutschland, unsubventioniert sein, zertifiziert sein und physisch geliefert werden, um sich für ERE-Zertifikate zu qualifizieren, andernfalls wird es bei der Berechnung des Gesamtmandats eines Kraftstoffanbieters mit einer fossilen CI von 94 g CO2e/MJ behandelt. Stabiles Deutschland, Frankreich Deutschland wird 2026 die Doppelanrechnung für fortschrittliche Biokraftstoffe wie Biomethan auf die THG-Quote abschaffen. Bislang war dies stets ein großer Anreiz für den Einsatz von Biomethan als Kraftstoff. Trotzdem bleibt Biomethan in Deutschland der günstigste Weg, um die THG-Quote zu erfüllen, denn insbesondere güllebasiertes Biomethan hat ein konkurrenzloses Einsparungspotenzial. Auch die steigende THG-Quote könnte die Nachfrage stützen, jedoch bleibt der Absatzmarkt in Deutschland durch die limitierte Anzahl an LNG- und CNG-Fahrzeugen begrenzt. Frankreichs Beimischungspflicht für Biogas-Produktionszertifikate (CPB) tritt im Januar in Kraft und dürfte auch dort die Inlandsnachfrage deutlich ankurbeln. Die Umsetzung der RED III-Richtlinie, die ein neues, auf Treibhausgasen basiertes IRICC-Ticketsystem vorsieht, wurde jedoch auf 2027 verschoben. Das derzeitige energiebasierte TIRUERT-Ticketsystem für den Transport bleibt bis dahin bestehen, und bremst die Nutzung von Biomethan im Verkehrssektor. Ob IRICCs ab 2027 aus Biomethan generiert werden können, ist noch unklar. Die Verpflichtung, 3 % erneuerbares Gas im Verkehrssektor zu verwenden, tritt 2028 in Kraft und wird danach weiter ansteigen. Der grenzüberschreitende Handel und die Bunkerung von Bio-LNG dürften weiterhin eingeschränkt bleiben. Französisches Biomethan kann nur im Rahmen einer Ex-Domain-Annullierung exportiert werden, also durch die Löschung von HKNs in einem Land zur Verwendung in einem anderen. Dies birgt Risiken für Käufer, da die Eigentumsrechte an den Nachweisen nicht zwangsläufig übertragen werden. Subventioniertes Biomethan darf an französischen LNG-Terminals nicht für die Nutzung außerhalb des Landes verflüssigt werden. Französisches Bio-LNG muss über Massenbilanzierung an andere Terminals in der EU exportiert werden, um unter FuelEU Maritime genutzt zu werden. Großbritannien: Zugang zur EU unklar Der Zugang des Vereinigten Königreichs zu EU-Märkten hängt vom Zugang zur Unionsdatenbank für gasförmige Biokraftstoffe (UDB) ab, deren Start nun für Ende Sommer 2026 vorgesehen ist. Unklarheiten bei der Drittstaatenregelung könnten den EU-Handel einschränken — ein kritisches Thema, da das Vereinigte Königreich in den ersten drei Quartalen 2025 mehr als die Hälfte seiner HKNs exportierte, hauptsächlich nach Deutschland, Norwegen und in die Schweiz. Das Vereinigte Königreich prüft derzeit den Ersatz volumenbasierter RTFC-Tickets durch ein THG-basiertes System, doch Änderungen würden erst 2027 in Kraft treten. Fazit Insgesamt bleibt Biomethan in Europa in THG-basierten Systemen gut positioniert, doch Verzögerungen bei der Umsetzung von Vorschriften dürften das Gesamtwachstum des Marktes verlangsamen. Die Niederlande, Dänemark und Deutschland sollten weiterhin Anker für die europäische Preisbildung bleiben, und Spanien dürfte seine Rolle als maritimer Hub festigen. Doch mehrere Länder riskieren, zurückzufallen, wenn sie keine HKN-Register, Export-Hub-Zugänge, politische Anreize und Subventionsreformen einführen. Von Madeleine Jenkins & Svea Winter Senden Sie Kommentare und fordern Sie weitere Informationen an feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . Alle Rechte vorbehalten.

Viewpoint: US, European LNG spread may narrow in 2026

25/12/22

Viewpoint: US, European LNG spread may narrow in 2026

Houston, 22 December (Argus) — The spread between US and European LNG prices will likely narrow further in 2026, but forward prices indicate US LNG supply under long-term contracts will remain comfortably profitable in international spot markets until at least summer 2027 as a wave of new supply comes on line. A recent rally in the US natural gas market highlighted US LNG's tightening margins. The indicative long-term LNG contract price — 115pc of US benchmark Henry Hub plus a $3/mn Btu liquefaction fee — surpassed the Argus Gulf coast (AGC) spot fob price in early December for the first time in more than two years amid cold weather in the US, mild weather in Europe and high Atlantic basin freight rates. But the premium over the spot price was brief and caused no change to export schedules. The front-month Henry Hub contract quickly shed its gains on warmer weather, falling to $3.89/mn Btu on 16 December from a nearly three-year high of $5.29/mn Btu on 5 December. Prices hovered around $4/mn Btu through 19 December. The impact was solely on profit margins rather than fundamentals. Customers of US LNG facilities did not need to cancel cargoes under take-or-pay provisions because a profit incentive to maximize exports remained. Liquefaction costs are considered sunk, and the spread between Henry Hub and European LNG prices remained wide enough to more than cover shipping costs. Though rising exports may add to domestic pricing volatility during cold winter weather through the end of the decade, US and European gas futures today indicate long-term offtake from US LNG terminals will remain profitable until the summer of 2027, assuming freight rates of $80,000/d and a 50¢/mn Btu discount to the European benchmark TTF for northwest European deliveries. At that time, contracts with $3/mn Btu liquefaction fees could surpass delivered LNG prices in northwest Europe, though the arbitrage for US gas would remain open for contracts with lower fees (see chart) . Fees now range between $2.50-2.80/mn Btu for US supply coming on line toward the end of the decade. Contracts with fees on either end of that range remain below European LNG prices until summer 2029 and summer 2028, respectively, assuming freight rates of $80,000/d. But cargo cancellations are not always necessary when long-term US LNG contract prices surpass international prices. Terminal operators and their customers finalize annual delivery plans as well as upward and downward delivery tolerances before the start of each year, leaving less flexibility later in the year. If a customer wishes to cancel a cargo, they typically must notify the terminal up to two months in advance, which would likely only happen in an environment where the cost of 115pc of Henry Hub plus freight stabilizes above European LNG prices. The spread between Henry Hub and delivered European prices is wide enough to absorb freight costs through winter 2030-31. If an offtaker opts for a lower quantity in its delivery tolerance or cancels a cargo, the volume returns to the terminal operator, which could still market and sell the cargo on the spot market. This effectively shifts the seller of a cargo from the LNG customer to the LNG terminal operator. The likelihood of cancellations beyond 2027 may be higher in the spring and autumn shoulder seasons, when demand in Europe is typically lower. Depending on the previous winter, this may be more likely to occur in autumn, given the annual rebuild of Europe's underground gas inventories that begins in the spring. Additional liquefaction capacity has already helped tighten margins for US LNG since Europe's conflict-driven volatility in 2022 . The AGC fob's premium over the long-term indicative contract averaged $3.95/mn Btu through 19 December this year, down from $4.63/mn Btu, $5.37/mn Btu and $20.13/mn Btu in 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. But the anticipated convergence of US and European LNG is not guaranteed. Geopolitical conflict could disrupt existing trade patterns. And lower prices in Europe will be contingent on new LNG projects, led by the US and Qatar, maintaining their timelines, which are prone to delays from supply chain issues and workforce constraints. This would add upside risk to international prices and downside risk for Henry Hub if the delays are in the US. By Tray Swanson European LNG spot prices vs long-term US LNG $/mn Btu Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

US shale firms see subdued spending next year

25/12/22

US shale firms see subdued spending next year

New York, 22 December (Argus) — US president Donald Trump took to prime-time TV this week to reassure voters that 2026 will see a stronger economy, but US shale executives see little prospect of an imminent upturn in their business. US oil and gas firms plan to keep capital spending flat to slightly lower next year, according to a closely watched survey by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, as the industry grapples with lower oil prices. Although activity edged lower in the fourth quarter, uncertainty grew and companies remained increasingly wary about future prospects in the poll of 131 executives from Texas, southern New Mexico and northern Louisiana that was carried out earlier this month. "Decreasing oil prices are making many of our firm's wells uneconomic," one exploration and production (E&P) executive said. "Capital efficiencies and returns drive our investment decisions," another respondent said. "If economic conditions worsen, drilling and completion activities will cease in 2026." The muted outlook for spending next year comes as producers have adopted a wait-and-see approach in recent months, given an increasingly uncertain macro backdrop, with crude prices trading near four-year lows this week on fears of global oversupply. A number of shale operators have posted higher-than-expected production this year. At the same time, spending has come in below expectations as drilling operations become more efficient, a trend UK bank Barclays says could be repeated in 2026. The executives who took part in the Dallas Fed survey gave varied responses when asked about their spending plans for next year depending on their size. Large producers — or those with output of 10,000 b/d or more — were more likely to say they expect capital expenditure to remain close to this year's levels. The most selected response among smaller firms — with production under 10,000 b/d — was for a slight increase. Although there are more small firms in the US, the larger companies account for more than 80pc of total US output. When asked about the oil price they were using for capital planning in 2026, the average response among executives was $59/bl for WTI. That was down from the $68/bl average price for the US benchmark that firms planned to use this year. The Dallas Fed said it was not necessarily a surprise that companies were not planning to trim spending further given weaker oil prices. Capital-intensive care "Oil and gas is a capital-intensive business," the bank's senior business economist, Kunal Patel, said. "It takes a lot of money to sustain the wells, even to keep production flat, and so that's why I don't think you're seeing as many people looking to significantly cut." Also, the prices that companies are using to plan next year's budgets are not too far from current breakeven levels. And producers may yet respond with deeper cuts to spending if prices tumble again. Oil and natural gas production was relatively unchanged in the fourth quarter, the survey showed, while costs rose at a slower pace than in the previous three months. "While oil prices have not been low enough this quarter to force a substantial cutback in activity, they were not high enough to support any growth either," Dallas Fed assistant vice-president Michael Plante said. In its annual E&P spending survey, Barclays expects upstream capital expenditure in North America to fall by 5pc in 2026, on lower US activity, reduced reinvestment ratios, and the impact of drilling and well completion efficiencies. That would mark its third consecutive annual decline. Barclays also revised down this year's upstream spending forecast to a decline of 5pc, from an initial estimate of a 3pc drop. The change was driven by further US rig count losses after Opec+ started to ramp up supplies, as well as the hit from Trump's tariff wars. By Stephen Cunningham Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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