NATURAL GAS

US calls “temporary” halt to new LNG export terminals / Existing units to remain onstream / Energy department plans study on international climate impact of US gas

PLASTICS AND ENERGY

Germany, Qatar announce LNG deal / Gulf state to supply some 2 mn t/y from 2026 / ConocoPhillips tapped as shipper

ENERGY

Germany signs Middle East LNG supply deals / First UAE cargoes to be landed by end 2023 / How to replace Russian gas imports?

ENERGY MARKETS

Qatar finalises gas North Field Expansion contracts / Five energy majors participating / Total, Shell, Exxon with the largest stakes

ENERGY MARKETS

Europe scrambles to secure Middle East LNG / TotalEnergies set to lead expansion of Qatar's North Field

LYONDELLBASELL

Climate strategy targets zero net emissions by 2050 / Phase-out of coal power at Wesseling / On-site energy alliance with Evonik

PLASTICS AND ENVIRONMENT

Shareholder votes force changes at energy and plastics majors / As You Sow and a fledgling environmentalist hedge fund provide a leg up / Court in The Hague orders Shell to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

USA

Shale gas carousel turns faster / Giant field found in west Texas / President-elect Trump expected to promote fracking / Much of new plastics output earmarked for export

SHALE GAS

Poland's Environment Ministry expects commercial exploitation to start in 2014 / Test drills to date exceed all expectations

SHALE GAS

China grants first production-sharing exploration contract to Shell / India's government approves development of country's light feedstock reserves / Catching up to the US shale gas revolution

PETROCHEMICAL MARKETS

US industry weathers Isaac / Little damage / One refinery in Alliance remains offstream

UPDATE - PETROCHEMICAL MARKETS

US hurricane season kicks off / “Isaac” threatens plants across Louisiana in particular / Numerous oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico have been evacuated / Reminiscent of “Katrina” and “Rita”

FEEDSTOCK MARKETS

ExxonMobil ceases all shale gas extraction in Poland / Government alleges conflict of interest in the wake of gas deal with Russia