This week in energy: key conversations at Gastech, another long-term LNG deal and maritime innovation aplenty

The Asia Natural Gas and Energy Association (ANGEA) regularly compiles a selection of stories from the energy world that have caught our eye.??? ??????????????????????????????

Given the region in which we operate –?and our purpose?– this collection of content is largely Asia-focused. But we also look further afield, knowing that developments, trends and technology from around the world also have an impact across our region.

Gastech highlights the importance of LNG

Gastech Exhibition & Conference certainly arrived at an interesting time for the global gas industry, with uncertain policy environments in key supplier countries driving a considerable amount of dialogue. US LNG supply, in particular, was the topic of much discussion.

ANGEA and our CEO Paul Everingham were very pleased to partner with LNG Allies for an event on the eve of Gastech focused on the future energy needs of Asia and the ability of the US LNG industry to meet them.

The Asia-US LNG Roundtable was extremely well-attended and, with the event drawing participants from both suppliers and users, the conversation was very valuable. What's clear is that there is a strong desire from US LNG producers and exporters to underpin Asia's energy transition, while their customers are seeking assurance of reliable long-term supply to support energy planning.

We are extremely grateful to everyone who made the time to come along and contribute and to LNG Allies for organising a high-quality event.

Throughout Gastech, there were strong reminders of the uncertainty introduced by the halt to US LNG export approvals earlier in the year and the enormous opportunity that gas offers to reduce Asia's reliance on coal for power generation.

Mike Wirth, CEO of ANGEA member company 雪佛龙 , called for a balanced conversation around energy, noting the potential for gas to make a contribution to supporting rapid growth of artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, JERA Co., Inc. Global CEO and Chair, Yukio Kani, put the spotlight on the significant roles of gas and LNG in the energy transition and outlined his company's plans to tackle the energy trilemma.

Woodside and JERA unveil another big LNG deal

Speaking of JERA, one of the most notable deals announced during Gastech was a 10-year contract with fellow ANGEA member Woodside Energy to deliver six LNG cargoes per annum starting in April 2026.

The agreement will account for around 600,000 tonnes of LNG per annum and is the first long-term sale to JERA from Woodside's global portfolio.

It builds on JERA's acquisition earlier this year of a 15% interest in Woodside's Scarborough Energy Project off Western Australia.

Read the full story: https://bit.ly/3zqrEkt

First wind-powered LNG carrier set for 2026 launch

In another exciting collaboration involving the ANGEA membership, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. and Chevron will install a wind-assisted propulsion system on a newbuild LNG carrier.

It will mark a first for the LNG industry and the ship in question is currently under construction and scheduled for delivery in 2026.

It's a great piece of innovation and, judging by the illustration below, it's going to be a sight to behold.

Read more: https://bit.ly/47uzg1R

Loan finalised for Vietnam's first two LNG-to-power plants

In a positive development for a fast-growing and coal-reliant economy in Southeast Asia, a loan agreement has been finalised to support completion of Vietnam's Nhon Trach 3 and 4 power plants.

The facilities mark Vietnam's first venture into LNG-to-power arrangements and the significant investment will be supported by major international financial institutions, including 花旗 , ING Deutschland , Korea Trade Insurance Corporation (Ksure) and SERV Swiss Export Risk Insurance .

Vietnam only began importing LNG in 2023 but hopes it will account for nearly 15% of the country's generation capacity by 2030.

Read the full story: https://bit.ly/4efDzjS

More international interest in ExxonMobil's hydrogen venture

三菱商事 is the latest large international company to take an interest in the large-scale low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia production facility that 埃克森美孚 is developing at Baytown.

Under the terms of a project framework agreement announced recently, the two companies will advance discussion on Mitsubishi Corporation's offtake of low-carbon ammonia and equity participation in the project.

Hydrogen and ammonia have the potential to make big contributions to decarbonisation in Asia over coming decades - particularly in Japan, which plans to invest $107 billion in supply of hydrogen and its derivatives over the next 15 years.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3XuENRw

LNG: the flexible fuel that has shaped geopolitics

In the latest edition of his Energy Diary, ANGEA senior advisor Neil Theobald takes a deeper dive into LNG, exploring how it is created and the impact it has had on the energy world.

As Neil explains, it is a fuel that has changed the way gas can be traded and transported and the geopolitical consequences have been vast.

Read the full story: https://bit.ly/471pmVg

Maritime innovation on show at Gastech

There was no shortage of shipping-related interest at Gastech, with ANGEA member companies featuring in two high-profile approval-in-principle announcements.

Firstly, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. were among a consortium of companies to acquire approval in principle for two types of low-pressure liquefied CO2 carriers under joint development.

The approval was granted by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and ClassNK - Nippon Kaiji Kyokai.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3XyWmzX

Meanwhile, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co., Ltd. (HD KSOE) was awarded approval in principle from DNV for its electric propulsion liquid hydrogen (LH?) carrier design concept.

The concept could enable 80,000 cubic metres of LH? storage and transport and is part of a wider collaboration with Woodside Energy , Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. and Hyundai Glovis.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3XOJAyD

ANGEA?is the voice of the gas industry in Asia and a trade association with membership covering the full global gas value chain: from production, to transport, infrastructure, manufacturing, end users, and others. Headquartered in Singapore, ANGEA works constructively with governments, society and industry throughout Asia, to build effective and integrated energy policies that meet each country’s climate objectives while promoting national and regional sustainable economic growth.