ASIA
Pakistan
- QatarEnergy plans talks with Pakistan to discuss delaying LNG deliveries, as Pakistan seeks to reduce imports amid economic pressures.
- Electricity Consumers Likely to Get Rs0.37 Per Unit Relief in November Bills.
- Punjab Takes Federal Government to CCI Over ‘Unauthorised’ Rs7.77bn Electricity Deduction.
- PM Set to Announce Power Tariff Relief Package for Industry, Agriculture This Week.
- Customs blocks illegal Indian-origin imports worth millions.
- PNSC subsidiary boosts fleet with multi-million dollar MR-II tanker acquisition.
China
- China’s LNG imports remain subdued through winter due to fuel oversupply, with a 15% year-on-year drop in September and a 17% decline over 2025 so far. Domestic production and pipeline imports are reducing reliance on LNG, making long-term contracts unlikely soon.
- US chemical firms face weak quarters from China-led supply glut and tariffs.
- Oil prices rose more than 1% due to eased US-China trade tensions, with both nations tamping down disputes over port fees and cargo, potentially stabilizing global freight flows.
- China’s LNG imports are projected to be the lowest since 2018, reflecting subdued demand amid economic slowdowns, which could further pressure global energy markets.
Japan
- Japan is stepping up purchases of US soybeans and LNG to offset China’s reduced US imports amid trade tensions, aiming to strengthen ties with Washington.
India
- Petrobras agreed to supply up to 6 million barrels of crude oil to Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), strengthening Brazil-India energy ties and potentially easing supply concerns.
- Indian refiners including IOC and HPCL made rare purchases of Guyanese crude grades like Golden Arrowhead, Liza, and Unity Gold, totaling around 4 million barrels arriving in late December.
- Oil gains reported on news of a nearing US-India trade deal that could reduce India’s reliance on Russian oil flows.
General Asia
- Asian LNG bunker demand is heading toward 4 million mt in 2025, with China’s growth driving market share; trading activity hits seasonal highs despite muted demand and high inventories.
- Europe’s wind surge is impacting Asia’s energy trade, with LNG markets sensitive to shifts.
AFRICA
Egypt
- Egypt reshuffles LNG cargoes to import more this month due to a 12-day shutdown of Israel’s Tamar gas field for maintenance, affecting supplies.
- Egypt exported its second LNG shipment in October (150,000 cubic meters) to Turkey from Idku.
- Egypt plans to buy more oil products for power generation to free up gas for LNG exports.
- Egypt usurps Kuwait as Middle East’s biggest LNG importer.
Algeria
- Sonatrach restarts a key unit at the Skikda LNG plant to boost exports, enhancing Algeria’s capacity amid global demand.
- Algeria’s Sonatrach signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Mozambique’s National Hydrocarbon Company (ENH) to enhance cooperation in oil and gas projects, covering exploration, production, and distribution.
South Africa
- ExxonMobil declares intent to import LNG via Richards Bay port; South Africa aims to revive small nuclear reactor tech, potentially impacting energy mix including LNG.
Republic of Congo
- Republic of Congo plans to launch a new gas code soon to attract investment.
Namibia
- BP confirmed a condensate-rich gas discovery at the Volans-1X well in the offshore Orange Basin, where joint venture Azule Energy (BP-Eni partnership) holds a 42.5% stake.
Mozambique
- Algeria’s Sonatrach signed an MoU with Mozambique’s National Hydrocarbon Company (ENH) to enhance cooperation in oil and gas projects.
NORTH AMERICA
United States
- US LNG exporters and households on collision course as exports jump 20% in H1 2025 to 2.57 Bcf/d; natgas prices hit 3-month high on demand and near-record exports.
- Venture Global gets approval to export from CP2 plant and introduce gas into final Plaquemines block.
- North America’s LNG capacity may double to 28.7 Bcf/d by 2029.
- The US Department of Energy announced plans to begin refilling the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) by purchasing 1 million barrels of crude oil, fulfilling commitments to replenish stocks.
- Eagle Energy Partners announced corporate updates including a strategic partnership, bolt-on acquisitions, and field enhancements to boost production and operations in US oil and gas assets.
- WTI crude oil price trading around $57.75 per barrel after breaking support, with potential cues from inventory reports, OPEC+ decisions, and geopolitical factors influencing near-term sentiment.
Canada
- Colder outlook and robust LNG flows lift US natgas to two-week high, impacting North American markets.
Mexico
- US-based Big River Energy sets FID for Gato Negro LNG export project by late 2026.
- US natural gas exports to Mexico hit records at 7.5 Bcf/d in May 2025.
SOUTH AMERICA
Brazil
- Brazil mulls LNG imports into early 2025 due to hydropower shortages from drought.
- Petrobras signed a deal to supply up to 6 million barrels of crude to India’s HPCL, marking a key expansion in international sales and highlighting growing ties between South American producers and Asian markets.
Guyana
- Indian refiners purchased rare cargoes of Guyanese crude, including 2 million barrels each from IOC and HPCL, reflecting increased long-haul flows from Atlantic producers to Asia.
EUROPE
General Europe
- EU leaders to approve 19th Russia sanctions with LNG ban by 2027; plans full Russian LNG import ban and shadow fleet hit.
- Qatar and US urge EU to reconsider sustainability rules (CSDDD) risking LNG supplies.
- EU to list two Chinese refineries in new Russia sanctions.
- EU eyes ban on Russian gas by 2027.
Russia
- Russia says no EU asset seizure if Russian assets spared.
- Russia unveiled ice-capable LNG carrier design.
- Russia refused a ceasefire with Ukraine, halting plans for a Trump-Putin summit and maintaining geopolitical tensions.
- OPEC+ supply, including Russian output, is expected to decline in October amid production adjustments, while Russian oil faces longer sea voyages due to sanctions.
Hungary
- A refinery tied to Russian oil supplies via pipeline exploded, part of two incidents in 24 hours causing chaos in EU energy infrastructure; MOL’s facility burned, potentially disrupting regional fuel supplies.
Romania
- Lukoil’s refinery (processing 2.5 million tons/year) exploded, adding to EU fallout from Russian-linked assets and raising concerns over supply stability.
Ukraine
- Ukraine launched air offensives against Russian oil refineries, gas plants, and depots since August, potentially disrupting Putin’s war machine by targeting fuel supplies critical for military operations.
MIDDLE EAST
Qatar
- Qatar and US urge EU to reconsider sustainability rules for LNG trade, warning of supply disruptions.
- QatarEnergy plans Pakistan talks on LNG delays; starts using UK LNG terminal capacity; aims to capture 11 mtpa CO2 by 2035.
Saudi Arabia
- Saudi crude exports rise to six-month high in August.
- Vantris Energy signed a deal with Aramco to deepen involvement in the Saudi oil market, focusing on enhanced cooperation in energy projects and market expansion.
- Riyadh tenders Al-Zulfi passenger railway station.
- Contractors prepare Riyadh Expo infrastructure bids.
- Acwa Power achieves $2.9bn financial close for Saudi CCGT plant.
Israel
- Tamar gas field shuts for 12 days maintenance, impacting Egypt supplies.
Iraq
- Iraq signed a deal with ExxonMobil to develop the Majnoon oilfield, aiming to boost production capacity and attract foreign investment in one of its largest fields.
- Iraq shortlists three firms for Grand Faw port operations.
Kuwait
- Kuwait awards $489m Al-Mutlaa wastewater contract.
- Kuwait oil field power contract has budget of $50m.
- Kuwait oil contracts worth $10bn face budget hurdle.
AUSTRALIA & OCEANIA
Australia
- Woodside hikes 2025 guidance on oil output despite LNG dip, with Scarborough project 91% complete and on track for first cargo in 2026.
- Chevron warns North West Shelf delays risk gas investment.
- NT government investigates Inpex’s emissions under-reporting at Ichthys LNG.
- Hidden costs of LNG boom include higher domestic prices.
- Buru Energy announced a new oil and gas discovery in the Canning Basin, securing funding to accelerate exploration and development projects.
