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Volatile energy prices risk the transition: IEF

  • : Natural gas
  • 24/09/18

High or volatile energy prices risk undermining emissions reductions efforts, International Energy Forum (IEF) secretary-general Joseph McMonigle said today at the Gastech conference in Houston, Texas.

"If the public starts to connect high prices and volatility to the energy transition, we're in big trouble and we risk losing public support for the transition and climate policy," he said.

McMonigle made his comments on a panel with several energy ministers, who discussed the issues of balancing energy security concerns with transitioning to cleaner fuel sources for electricity.

When asked what he would consider a "call to action" for the global energy sector, McMonigle suggested investments in emerging technologies.

"I think to allow trading of carbon credits is really important to accelerate the transition," he said. "Also, to provide financing for CCS (carbon capture and storage), which I think is one of the technologies that does not have enough investment behind it."


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25/07/10

LNG imports feasible, New Zealand utilities say

LNG imports feasible, New Zealand utilities say

Sydney, 10 July (Argus) — Importing LNG to cover New Zealand's shortfall of gas is technically feasible but more challenging than expected, according to two new reports commissioned by five energy companies. Conventional-scale LNG imports would help meet power demand in years when hydroelectric inflows are low, but the total cost to end users is estimated at NZ$170-210mn/yr ($102-126mn/yr) including costs of $10.12-10.37/MMBtu on a landed basis — or approximately NZ$17.83-18.27/GJ, based on a forward exchange rate of NZ$1.67:$1 — according to reports sponsored by New Zealand utilities Clarus, Contact Energy, Genesis Energy, Meridian Energy, and Mercury. Major works to establish infrastructure such as port or pipeline upgrades have been estimated at NZ$190mn-1bn, a level of investment that holds risks given uncertainty about the country's future energy mix and need for imports. Smaller-scale options using existing ports and involving imports from Australia via 15,000m³ vessels could provide an additional 7-10 PJ/yr (187mn-267mn m³/yr) or about one month's supply, but this could cost 25pc more than the large-scale option at about $11.41-11.92/MMBtu, or NZ$20.10-21/GJ . Smaller-scale LNG infrastructure capital costs could be NZ$140mn-295mn, but securing offtake and a solution for storing imported LNG would need to be finalised first, the study said. New Zealand's gas supply has plummeted after years of underinvestment in the Taranaki basin, the country's main source. Just 25.93PJ was produced in January-March, down by 19pc on the year, according to government data. High prices are impacting the production of fertilizers and other industries . Wellington is looking to lure upstream producers via a NZ$200mn co-investment to buy stakes in new gas fields, while also working towards potential LNG import plans . By Tom Major Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Trump threatens 50pc Brazil tariff: Update


25/07/09
25/07/09

Trump threatens 50pc Brazil tariff: Update

Updates with comments from Brazil's vice president Washington, 9 July (Argus) — US president Donald Trump is threatening to impose a 50pc tariff on imports from Brazil from 1 August, citing the ongoing trial of that country's former president, Jair Bolsonaro. Trump's letter to Brazil's president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, released on Wednesday, is one of the 22 that the US leader sent to his foreign counterparts since 7 July, announcing new tariff rates that the US will be charging on imports from those countries. But his letter to Brazil stands out for allegations of a "witch hunt" against Bolsonaro, who — much like Trump — disputed his electoral defeat and attempted to stay in office. Brazil's supreme court qualified Bolsonaro's actions in 2022 as an attempted coup, ordering him to stand trial. Trump said he will impose the 50pc tariff because "in part to Brazil's insidious attacks on Free Elections and the Fundamental Free Speech Rights of Americans". The latter is a reference to orders by judges in Brazil to suspend social media accounts for spreading "misinformation". Trump separately said he would direct US trade authorities to launch an investigation of Brazil's treatment of US social media platforms — an action likely to result in additional tariffs. Trump's letter to Lula also contains language similar to that included in letters sent to 21 other foreign leaders, accusing Brazil of unfair trade practices and suggesting that the only way to avoid payments of tariffs is if Brazilian companies "decide to build or manufacture product within the US". The Trump administration since 5 April has been charging a 10pc extra "Liberation Day" tariff on most imports — energy commodities and critical minerals are exceptions — from Brazil and nearly every foreign trade partner. Trump on 9 April imposed even higher tariffs on key trading partners, only to delay them the same day until 9 July. On 7 July, Trump signed an executive order further delaying the implementation of higher rates until 12:01am ET (04:01 GMT) on 1 August. Trump earlier this week threatened to impose 10pc tariffs on any country cooperating with the Brics group, which includes Brazil, China, Russia, India and South Africa. Lula hosted a Brics summit in Rio de Janeiro on 6-7 July. Brazil vice president Geraldo Alckmin, speaking to reporters before Trump made public his letter to Lula, said: "I see no reason (for the US) to increase tariffs on Brazil." The US runs a trade surplus with Brazil, Alckmin said, adding that "the measure is unjust and will harm America's economy". Trump has justified his "Liberation Day" tariffs by the need to cut the US trade deficit, but the punitive duties also affect imports from countries with which the US has a trade surplus. By Haik Gugarats and Constance Malleret Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Trump threatens 50pc Brazil tariff


25/07/09
25/07/09

Trump threatens 50pc Brazil tariff

Washington, 9 July (Argus) — US president Donald Trump is threatening to impose a 50pc tariff on imports from Brazil from 1 August, citing the ongoing trial of that country's former president, Jair Bolsonaro. Trump's letter to Brazil's president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, released on Wednesday, is one of the 22 that the US leader sent to his foreign counterparts since 7 July, announcing new tariff rates that the US will be charging on imports from those countries. But his letter to Brazil stands out for allegations of a "witch hunt" against Bolsonaro, who — much like Trump — disputed his electoral defeat and attempted to stay in office. Brazil's supreme court qualified Bolsonaro's actions in 2022 as an attempted coup, ordering him to stand trial. Trump said he will impose the 50pc tariff because "in part to Brazil's insidious attacks on Free Elections and the Fundamental Free Speech Rights of Americans". The latter is a reference to orders by judges in Brazil to suspend social media accounts for spreading "misinformation". Trump separately said he would direct US trade authorities to launch an investigation of Brazil's treatment of US social media platforms — an action likely to result in additional tariffs. Trump's letter to Lula also contains language similar to that included in letters sent to 21 other foreign leaders, accusing Brazil of unfair trade practices and suggesting that the only way to avoid payments of tariffs is if Brazilian companies "decide to build or manufacture product within the US". The Trump administration since 5 April has been charging a 10pc extra "Liberation Day" tariff on most imports — energy commodities and critical minerals are exceptions — from Brazil and nearly every foreign trade partner. Trump on 9 April imposed even higher tariffs on key trading partners, only to delay them the same day until 9 July. On 7 July, Trump signed an executive order further delaying the implementation of higher rates until 12:01am ET (04:01 GMT) on 1 August. Brasilia did not immediately react to Trump's threat of higher tariffs. Trump earlier this week threatened to impose 10pc tariffs on any country cooperating with the Brics group, which includes Brazil, China, Russia, India and South Africa. Lula hosted a Brics summit in Rio de Janeiro on 6-7 July. By Haik Gugarats Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Heatwave eats into Japanese utilities’ LNG stocks


25/07/09
25/07/09

Heatwave eats into Japanese utilities’ LNG stocks

Osaka, 9 July (Argus) — LNG inventories at Japan's main power utilities fell for the second consecutive week during the week to 6 July, as hotter than normal weather boosted electricity demand for cooling and increased gas-fired generation. The utilities held 2mn t of LNG inventories on 6 July, down by 7pc from a week earlier and by 12pc from the recent high of 2.27mn t on 22 June, according to a weekly survey by the trade and industry ministry Meti. But the latest volume was almost in line with the 1.99mn t recorded for 7 July 2024. A large part of Japan has experienced unusually hot weather since the middle of June, with the country's environment ministry, together with the Japan Meteorological Agency, occasionally issuing heatstroke alerts. This boosted the country's power demand to an average of 113GW during the 30 June-6 July period, up by 10pc on the week and by 7pc from a year earlier, according to the Organisation for Cross-regional Co-ordination of Transmission Operators (Occto). Firm electricity demand encouraged power producers to raise gas-fired output by 9.1pc on the week to an average of 36GW during the week to 6 July, the Occto data showed. Coal- and oil-fired generation also rose by 22pc to 31GW and 49pc to 1GW, respectively. Generation economics for Japan's gas-fired power plants improved with higher wholesale electricity prices, which was supported by stronger bidding demand. Margins from a 58pc-efficent gas-fired unit running on spot LNG averaged ¥2.82/kWh ($19.18/MWh) across 30 June-6 July, up from the previous week's ¥0.88/KWh, based on the ANEA — the Argus assessment for spot LNG deliveries to northeast Asia — and Japan Electric Power Exchange' systemwide prices. The 58pc spark spread using oil-priced LNG supplies also rose by 35pc to an average of ¥3.90/kWh. By Motoko Hasegawa Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Venture Global urges shipping review of rival project


25/07/08
25/07/08

Venture Global urges shipping review of rival project

Houston, 8 July (Argus) — US LNG developer Venture Global is asking federal regulators to re-examine whether shipments from its 12.4mn t/yr (1.65 Bcf/d) Calcasieu Pass export terminal would be disrupted by a competing project on the same Louisiana waterway. Venture Global's concerns pertain to Kimmeridge's 9.5mn t/yr Commonwealth LNG terminal, which is located just across the Calcasieu Ship Channel in southwest Louisiana (see map) and is anticipated to reach a final investment decision (FID) later this year. The ship channel, part of the port of Lake Charles, is becoming the US' LNG export hub, with the existing Calcasieu Pass and Cameron LNG terminals set to be joined by Commonwealth, Woodside's 16.5mn t/yr Louisiana LNG and Energy Transfer's 16.5mn t/yr Lake Charles LNG by 2031 (see table) . Venture Global is also close to an FID on its 28mn t/yr CP2 facility adjacent to the Calcasieu Pass plant. In a letter to the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on 30 June, Venture Global requested FERC revisit Commonwealth's waterway suitability assessment, which analyzes if a waterway can safely handle increased traffic or requires a mitigation plan. Under Commonwealth's original approval by the US Coast Guard in 2019, the terminal was told to reassess its impact on traffic once the Calcasieu Pass plant began operations. Calcasieu Pass LNG exported its first cargo on 1 March 2022, and Commonwealth updated its waterway assessment the following month. Venture Global's lawyers argue that Commonwealth's waterway assessment is outdated because Calcasieu Pass did not begin commercial operations — the time at which a terminal begins delivering LNG to offtake customers — until April 2025. The company sold 444 cargoes totaling 28.2mn t of LNG on the spot market between March 2022 and April 2025, which is the subject of an arbitration case by Venture Global's customers, including Shell and BP, who argue it was unjustified in delaying deliveries. In a response filed with FERC, Commonwealth's lawyers argued Calcasieu Pass has been operating at nameplate capacity since 2022 and therefore it does not need to update to its waterway assessment. "Put simply, from a terminal operations perspective, nothing has changed" after Calcasieu Pass commenced commercial operations, Commonwealth's lawyers wrote. Commonwealth's waterway assessment and approval by the Coast Guard were upheld in March 2025 and require no changes, it told Argus. By Tray Swanson Calcasieu Ship Channel LNG terminals Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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