Australia Approves Viva Energy’s Geelong LNG Terminal
Viva Energy Group said the Victorian government gave the green light on construction of its LNG terminal project in Geelong, a port city.
The Australian government has pursued gas supply commitments following a warning from the country’s competition regulator that the east coast may face a longer-term shortfall.
“We believe the LNG terminal is vital to ensure the secure supply of gas to the south-east market,” Chief Executive Scott Wyatt told Reuters.
Australia, which is among the world’s largest LNG exporters, generally experiences the nation’s peek gas demand due during July – its coldest month.
If all goes according to plans, the first gas delivery from the proposed project occur in time for the Victorian winter of 2028.
Penn America CEO, White House Meet on LNG Terminal Plans
The CEO of a company hoping to build an LNG terminal near Philadelphia told Reuters he met with White House officials recently to “provide intelligence” concerning plans for an LNG project near Philadelphia.
Penn America Energy Holdings would like to ship 7.2 mtpa of LNG from the new site to Europe and Asia, according to Franc James, who added the company is considering several locations other than the original site in Chester, Pennsylvania.
The Philadelphia region has seen plants close down in recent decades as the energy industry in the U.S. increasingly moves operations to the Gulf Coast region. Efforts to capitalize on the abundant natural gas found in Pennsylvania’s Marcellus region have largely stalled due to the problems getting permits for new infrastructure, particularly pipelines.
Trump has vowed to open new gas pipelines and boost the LNG industry. His support for the project could also pitch a fight in a battleground state with Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro, up for reelection next year
James told Reuters he had worked with President Donald Trump during his first term when the project was “in the fetal stages,” but the company put the plans on hold following the pause on approvals of LNG exports.
NW Natural Expands in Texas with Hughes Gas Acquisition
NW Natural Holding Company completed its $60 million acquisition of Hughes Gas Resources, Inc. from EPCOR USA, further expanding its Texas operations. The deal was finalized through its subsidiary, SiEnergy Operating LLC.
Hughes serves roughly 6,900 natural gas connections across 12 communities northeast of Houston. The company is expected to reach a $46 million rate base by the end of 2025 and brings with it a contracted customer backlog of about 11,000.
With a growth model similar to SiEnergy’s, Hughes has expanded by supplying infrastructure to residential and commercial developments in high-growth regions. NW Natural said the transaction is expected to be accretive in its first full year.
“Hughes is a great fit for us and a logical step as we expand our Texas utilities,” said Justin B. Palfreyman, president and CEO of NW Natural Holdings. “I’m excited the team has completed this acquisition, which enhances the scale of SiEnergy and positions the Company for further growth.”
“I’m pleased to close this acquisition and begin serving additional customers in Texas,” added June Dively, president of SiEnergy. “Our gas utilities share a laser focus on providing safe, reliable service to benefit our customers and communities. I’m thrilled to welcome Hughes into our family and look forward to continued growth.”
Following the acquisition, Hughes is expected to be rebranded as Pines Holdings, Inc.
BP Delivers First Gas from Trinidad's Mento Field
bp Trinidad and Tobago (bpTT) announced the Mento development delivered first gas through the connection of the initial discovery well and the drilling campaign for the remaining seven gross wells on the platform will now begin.
Mento is a 50/50 joint venture between operator EOG Resources Trinidad Ltd (EOG) and bpTT. The development features a 12-slot, attended facility that is located in acreage jointly licensed by bpTT and EOG off Trinidad’s southeast coast.
Mento is one of bp’s 10 major projects expected to start up worldwide between 2025 and 2027 that bp announced earlier this year as part of its strategy to grow the upstream. Production from Mento will make a significant contribution towards the 250,000 boed combined peak net production expected from these 10 projects.
The Mento platform was built at the TOFCO fabrication yard, La Brea, Trinidad.
“For bpTT, this represents our second start up this year and it is tangible proof of the benefits of partnering with others to bring much needed gas into production," said bpTT president David Campbell. "The bpTT/EOG partnership is progressing well as we continue to work on our next joint venture project Coconut.”
bpTT and EOG are working on the Coconut gas development under a similar joint venture arrangement. Start-up is expected in 2027
Venture Global Begins Site Work on CP2 LNG Project
Venture Global has begun site work at its CP2 LNG export facility in Louisiana after receiving final federal approvals from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the U.S. Department of Energy.
The move marks a key milestone for the company’s third LNG terminal, which is scheduled to start delivering liquefied natural gas by 2027.
“Venture Global applauds the Commission and FERC staff for their continued work to advance critical U.S. energy projects like CP2 LNG that support our allies abroad and thousands of jobs here at home,” said Mike Sabel, CEO of Venture Global.
The CP2 project is expected to supply LNG to markets in Europe, Japan and other U.S. allies. Venture Global estimates that the facility will support 3,000 jobs in Louisiana, including 400 permanent positions, and generate more than $4 billion in local property tax revenue. During peak construction, CP2 will employ 7,500 workers and support thousands of indirect jobs across 30 states.
Venture Global is using its “design one, build many” modular construction approach, with much of the engineering, procurement and module fabrication already underway. According to the company, this off-site progress puts CP2 among the most advanced U.S. LNG export projects currently under development. P&GJ