LNG poised to grow in the Caribbean energy market: executive

Miami (Platts)--27Jan2011/554 pm EST/2254 GMT

The LNG market is poised to grow in the Caribbean region due to several factors that make it a more attractive energy fuel than traditional oil-based fuels, Rodney George, vice president of power plants for Wartsila Caribbean Inc. said Thursday.

"The stark reality is that oil is still king," George said at Platts' 11th Caribbean Energy Conference in Miami. "Natural gas projects have been elusive, though some changes are coming due to the rise in oil prices."

Oil-based fuels account for 95% of the Caribbean energy, but LNG is cheaper than low sulfur and high sulfur fuel oil, the current most widely used fuel products in the region. LNG is also a cleaner fuel than residual fuels oil, making it a more attractive investment for financial institutions.

Last week, LNG transporters, suppliers, and consumers met in Panama to explore small scale LNG projects for the Caribbean region. George said smaller projects are now preferred over large-scale ones.

In addition, LNG transporters are no longer restricted to big ships with 10,000-15,000 cu m vessels operating and more being built, George said.

Jamaica is an example of a Caribbean nation that has made a policy change to switch to LNG with plans to construct a small LNG port terminal, gas pipeline network and regasification plant. The same policy changes have been made in the French Isles, while smaller Caribbean Islands are also looking into it, George said.

In renewable energy, there has been a slow growth over the last five years with only a couple of projects done in the region, according to George, who added that he doesn't see any significant changes on that front.

--Luciano Battistini, luciano_battistini@platts.com

Read the full report here.

Source: Platts http://www.platts.com/

Conference Announcement: Global Offshore LNG Summit 2011

CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT

Global Offshore LNG Summit 2011

24-25 May 2011, Dubai, U.A.E.

23 May 2011 – Pre-Conference Workshop

26 May 2011 – Post-Conference Workshop

“Mastering Know-hows in Monetization and Commercialization of Undeveloped Gas Reserves Offshore as Well as Future Outlook of Offshore LNG”

NEOEDGE is proud to announce the roll out of another premier event – GLOBAL OFFSHORE LNG SUMMIT 2011 from the 24 to 25 May 2011 in Dubai, UAE. Hearing from a panel of experts who actively deals with Floating LNG, FPSO & FSRU, you will be exposed to in-depth insights of major domestic and international markets addressing the best strategies, approaches, techniques, technology, innovations as well as the current and future market of offshore LNG. This summit will also serve as a platform for all national, international and independent companies to network and share business ideas and experiences. The LNG business is evidently changing, don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn from the best in this industry and get ahead of the game!

Key Themes and Topics:

The following key themes on Global Offshore LNG will be addressed in depth with some Case Studies:

      Present and future outlook of FLNG – how will it shape the global LNG market

      Latest updates on offshore projects and the best methods used for these developments

      Key commercial trends influencing the global offshore gas market

      Monetization and commercialization of stranded gas

      Role of government in encouraging offshore developments as well as regulatory insights for these developments

      Importance of FLNG for the present and future gas market in meeting the growing demands for power generation

      FLNG and FPSO risk mitigation

      Front End Engineering and Design (FEED), an alternative to traditional onshore LNG plants – commercially attractive and environmentally sensitive

      Learning how to turn potentials of stranded gas into reality and laying out the best practices for expansion. Learn how to overcome challenges from success stories

      Importance of strong partnership to sustain long term vision for capital intensive industries – economically and technically viable solutions to boost development of stranded gas resources across the world

      Observing financing and investment options for the growing offshore gas potentials as well as the most cost effective manner to maximizing return on investments

      Identifying future investment opportunities for oil and gas related companies internationally and how you can fully capitalize on stranded gas

      Key elements of joint-venture agreements that ensures the success of offshore exploration and production

      Identifying new technological advancements and technical issues for new technologies

Industry Spread of Target Audience

      Government Bodies & Regulatory Bodies

      National Oil Corporation / National Operators

      International Oil Corporation / International Operators

      Independent Exploration & Production Companies

      Technology Providers

      Logistic, Transportation & Infrastructure Companies

      Power Generations Company / Utilities Companies

      Consultants, Research Firms, Engineering Firms, Law Firms and Academics

      Energy Consulting Firms

      Banks/ Financers / Investors

      Service Companies

*Early Paper Submissions are WELCOME!

All submissions kindly email to: Rekha Kaur, Conference Manager

rekha@neo-edge.com; +65 6557 9187; FAX: +65 6557 9188

*Sponsorship Opportunities

If you would like to discuss any of the sponsorship opportunities or put together a custom-built sponsorship package, please contact:

Thomas Ooi, Product Development Director – Neoedge Energy Global

thomas.ooi@neo-edge.com

Phone:  +65 6557 9168

Fax:  + 65 6557 9188

EBRD could finance Lithuanian LNG terminal and power links

26.01.2011, 14:34

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) would consider funding Lithuania’s plans for building electricity power links with Poland and Sweden, writes The Lithuanian Tribune

The EBRD could also provide a loan for a project of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Klaipeda and initiate talks between Ingalina N-Plant and Nukem in attempt to solve problems of a delayed nuclear waste facility project, EBRD Vice-President Jan Fischer said on 25 January during his meeting with Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius in Vilnius.

“New possibilities were discussed. These possibilities are related to the infrastructure development – the power bridges with Poland and Sweden. The EBRD’s possibilities for financing the liquefied gas terminal were also discussed. They would be ready to talk about possibilities to finance such a terminal,” Mykolas Majauskas, an advisor to Kubilius Lithuanian Public Radio quoted him telling to reporters after the meeting.

Read the rest of the report here.

Source: Baltic Business News http://balticbusinessnews.com/

Guest Blog of the Week - SHALE GAS & UNCONVENTIONAL GAS SUMMIT 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THE SHALE GAS & UNCONVENTIONAL GAS SUMMIT 2011 ANNOUNCES KEY TOPICS AND SUPPORTING MEDIA PARTNERS

January 26, 2011 – Neoedge Energy has an established reputation in organising cutting edge and well researched summits pertaining to the energy sector. The upcoming Shale Gas & Unconventional Gas Summit will be held at the Berjaya Times Square Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 12-13 March 2011. According to Rekha Kaur, Energy Consultant and Conference Manager at Neoedge, “this is the only conference that will bring the most significant dialogue between government bodies, local and international oil companies, independent exploration and production companies, technology providers, service and consulting companies on the global dynamics of unconventional gas industry as well as shaping its future”.

“This summit serves to do is to bring the latest developments on the unconventional gas reserves, its market trends and trade movements, the regulatory uncertainties, and the best practices for expansion of unconventional gas”, Kaur added. “Financing as well as investing opportunities will be discussed together with the environmental impacts on the exploitation of these reserves”.

The Shale Gas and Unconventional Gas Summit 2011 in Malaysia will determine the opportunities and challenges in the industry and the leading technologies used in its growth and development in the coming years. The event will be lead by a pool of keynote speakers from industry prime movers and a panel of experts who actively deal with the unconventional gas market. Aside from this, in-depth insights of major domestic and international markets will be addressed at the 4-day summit. It will be opened with a Pre-Conference Workshop by Pre-Conference Workshop on 11 April 2011 entitled “Shale Gas & Unconventional Gas Development”, to be led by Steve Hennings, Principal Reservoir Engineer at Source Rock Engineering. A very exciting Post Conference Workshop on the last day of the summit, 14 April 2011, about “Public Engagement in the Development of Subsurface Energy Usage: Shale Gas, Underground Coal Gasification, Gas Storage, Geothermal, and Carbon Capture and Storage” will be discussed by Prof. Michael H. Stephenson, Head of Science and Energy at the British Geological Survey.

The upcoming summit has partnered with the leading media outfits dedicated to the energy industry including: Cedigaz, ECF( EnergyChinaForum), Asia Monitor, China Coal Resource, s | z Energy Intelligence Co., Ltd, OilGas.com.cn, Energy Asia, Natural Gas for Europe/Asia and Energyme.com.

Energy Edge Consultants lead by Thomas Ooi, Neoedge Director for Energy Global, has been providing business solutions through effective networking events for the energy industry and has worked with established and aspiring companies to face business and strategic issues and helped in making key decisions affecting top line growth to a number of companies. For more information about the 2011 event, please visit the Summit website at www.neo-edge.com/shalegas or you may send your enquiries to enquiry@neo-edge.com; Give us a call to reserve your place at the event: +65 6557 9185; Fax: +65 6557 9188.

Can Europe benefit from shale gas?

20 January 2011 Last updated at 17:59 GMT

By Damian Kahya

Business reporter, BBC News

In a field near Kirkham, between Preston and Blackpool, they are preparing to drill a well that many say could change our energy outlook.

Up until recently, most economists had forecast gas prices rising sharply as supplies become scarce. Production in the North Sea is already falling fast.

But the recession saw prices fall and now the process of getting gas out of rocks , shale gas as it's known, could bring huge new supplies.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts that "unconventional" resources such as shale could double our gas supply worldwide.

Gas for 100 years

At the well in Lancashire, they are preparing to see if the right conditions exist in the UK to get gas from shale.

Read the rest of the report here.

Source: BBC News http://www.bbc.co.uk/

Thailand's first LNG Terminal for June

[19 Jan 2011, Jane Dawson, gasworld.com]

Industry murmurs indicate that Thailand is set to complete the country’s first LNG Terminal by Summer 2011.

Kurujit Nakornthap, Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Energy Ministry, recently revealed plans to enable demands to be met before peak period. Thailand is to purchase approximately 1m tons of LNG for a period of two to three years.

While speaking to press in Batam Indonesia, Nakornthap conceded that Thailand’s gas demand is growing at a rate of 7% each year. He added, “We will use the terminal for security of supply and meet peak demand for electricity. We may buy spot LNG in the market as it is cheap.”

Read the rest of the report here.

Source: Gasworld http://www.gasworld.com/

2nd Annual Africa Gas & LNG Summit 2011

Mastering the New Dynamics of Africa Gas & LNG Market Trends and Trade Movements with Relations to the Global Gas Market Today, an Up-to-Date Analysis.

“The only conference in Africa that comprehensively addresses all the critical developments with both gas and LNG markets – an interactive and significant dialogue between government bodies, regulators and decision makers!”

Neoedge is proud to announce the return of Africa Gas & LNG Summit for the year 2011. This summit comes after a successful roll out of Neoedge’s premier event in the year 2010 and has been one of Neoedge’s most sought after event. This year’s summit will feature expert speakers from the African and global gas & LNG market, exploring in-depth insights and analysis of the best strategies, approaches, opportunities, techniques and innovation to get you ahead of the game!

What was forecasted 2 years ago has changed significantly in the global dynamics of gas & LNG. Where does Africa fare in the LNG market today? Will Africa remain as the top players in the gas & LNG industry or how have the market changed since then? Has the emergence of unconventional gas in the African and global market changed how market trends and trade movements have been going these past years and how will it effect the future market? How do you promote the use of natural gas & encourage buyers to purchase these gases? What are the trends to distribute gas domestically and internationally? What are the updates in the African gas & LNG projects in particular Algeria, Nigeria, Angola as well as the Saharan-African projects? What is the role of the government in developing LNG countries? What are the pricing issues related to domestic and regional market, how do we go forward? What are the successes and challenges faced in the gas & LNG industry development? What do we look out for when assessing risk in new projects and what are the prospects for gas utilization and gas commercialisations? What are the considerations that need to be made when constructing key infrastructure projects for gas development to reach more revenue and more relations to mutually active companies? How do we manage communities and environmental issues arising from exploitation? What are the commercial terms & issues when it comes to gas exploration and production, and what to do and not do? What is the difference in terms of pricing and infrastructure when it comes to development onshore & offshore, what are the advantages & disadvantages? How’s best to negotiate successful gas production, supply, transportation and storage contracts? What are the issues faced in the gas sales agreement as well as the commercial, technical & security aspect of gas development? What are the key elements in project financing, how to evaluate potential returns? How about financing stranded gas reserves, what are the implications and risk of such financing? What are the best strategies in dealing with complications relating to spot and short term LNG trading? Will long term contracts further prevail in the market, or will spot trade get a dominant role? What is the importance of Force Majeure? How will Gas-To-Liquid technology influence the LNG market in the future? What are the new technological advancements and technical issues for new technologies? Where will Africa stand in the global and domestic gas & LNG market in the next 5 years?

Mark your calendar on the 20-21 July 2011 and come join us in Johannesburg to be amongst experts and like-minded people in the gas & LNG industry in which networking, sharing of business of ideas and exchanging of business relations will become inevitable. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to get ahead of your competition and be apart of this most updated and exciting Africa Gas & LNG Summit!

To secure your seats or for more information, call us today at +65 6557 9183 or email us at rilla.eas@neo-edge.com.