Russia’s Gazprom considers Linde, Shell technologies for Baltic LNG
Russian gas producer Gazprom is considering using technology made by industrial gases group Linde or Royal Dutch Shell at its Baltic LNG project, Gazprom board member Vitaly Markelov said on Tuesday. Russia does not have its own LNG technology. “We’ve looked at the efficiency of both technologies and they basically have the same indicators in terms of workability. The rest is a question of negotiation,” Markelov said. Royal Dutch Shell quit Gazprom’s liquefied natural gas project near the Baltic Sea port of Ust-Luga last month after the Russian company moved to integrate its Baltic LNG project and gas processing plants. Gazprom has already started designing the Baltic LNG complex, Markelov said.
Norway raises gas export price estimates for 2019 and 2020
Norway has increased its gas export price estimate for this year and next on an expected decline in European gas production, the country’s revised state budget showed on Tuesday. Its export price is still set to fall compared with 2018 but is now expected to hold at a higher level than last October’s original 2019 budget estimates. The country’s average gas price estimate for 2019 was raised by 0.15 Norwegian crowns to 2.20 crowns ($0.2519) per cubic metre. The estimate for 2020 was raised to 1.85 crowns per cubic metre, also up by 0.15 crowns from the previous forecast. Despite expectations for lower gas prices year on year because of higher global liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies, Norway says the decline will be smaller than previously forecast, limited by cuts in European gas production. “Increased supply of LNG globally over the next few years, as a result of increased exports from the United States, is expected to contribute to lower export gas prices in the European market,” the revised budget said. “The price decline is likely to be limited by the fact that gas production in Europe is likely to fall … Estimates are adjusted upwards.” Further ahead, Norway expects its gas export prices to pick up from 2021-2025 as LNG supply growth falls globally because of pf lower investment in LNG plants. From 2026 Norway forecasts a long-term price of 1.93 crowns per cubic metre. There were no significant changes in Norway’s expected gas production for 2019 and 2020, the revised budget said.
Exxon’s Mozambique LNG project plan gets Mozambique’s approval
The development plan of Exxon Mobil Corp’s Rovuma liquefied natural gas (LNG) project received the approval of the Mozambique government, the company said on Tuesday. The U.S. oil giant took charge of the East African LNG project’s onshore operations following a $2.8 billion deal with Italy’s Eni in 2017, adding to its slate of planned gas projects in Qatar, Papua New Guinea, Russia and the United States.
NGT fines Indian Oil’s Panipat refinery Rs 17.312 crore
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has slapped an interim penalty of Rs 17.31 crore on Indian Oil Corporation Limited’s Panipat refinery for violation of environmental norms. A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel directed that the amount may be deposited by the unit within a month with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) by way of interim compensation for restoration of the environment, subject to further orders. “We find that there is adequate material on record to hold that there is a violation of environmental norms by IOCL. The inspection was carried out by the credible experts of the regulatory authorities, namely, the CPCB, the HSPCB (Haryana State Pollution Control Board) under the direction of this tribunal. The response of the unit itself shows that observations in the inspection report needed action on account of which an action plan has been submitted,” the bench said. “We are, thus, unable to accept the submission that no compensation may be required to be paid or that no further action be taken. Even if pollution is contributed by others, respondent no. 1 (Panipat refinery) cannot avoid responsibility. The only question is the quantum. The committee has assessed interim compensation to be Rs 17.31 crore. The final assessment is to be made,” it added. The order came after perusing a report filed by a committee, comprising CPCB, HSPCB representatives and deputy commissioner, Panipat, which acknowledged enormous pollution. “The samples from the Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) were found to be non-compliant. Ambient air quality was exceeding the norms. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were resulting in irritation to eyes and odour which was observed by the joint team during the inspection. Untreated effluent was found to be discharged in the green belt areas,” the tribunal noted. “Unit was not complying with the conditions of recycling and reusing treated water. Effluent Treatment Plant was not being operated efficiently and was not adequate. Untreated effluents were being stored in open storage lagoon without VOC recovery system. The groundwater samples were not complying with the norms,” it said. The refinery, however, opposed the report and said it is unwarranted as the impact of other industries in the vicinity has not been considered and it did not get a notice from the committee. Proceedings in the matter were initiated on receipt of a letter by Satpal Singh, sarpanch, gram panchayat Singhpura Sithna, Panipat, alleging IOCL’s Panipat refinery is creating air and water pollution around Bohli, Dadlana and Sithana villages. The letter also alleged that air pollution by the refinery has created diseases affecting a large number of people and the analyzers to measure carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, and carbon dioxide, etc. have been non-functional since 2010, due to which such values are not being recorded. “The refinery is also polluting the water by discharging effluents in the forest, affecting the quality of water in the area,” the plea said.