In this Issue:

FROM THE EDITOR: EUROPE’S BUNGLED GAS PRICE CAP PLAN

The proposal, as it currently stands, is symbolic. But the EU must also question whether a price cap would really be desirable.

MIXED MESSAGES FOR OIL AND GAS

Oil and gas companies are simultaneously hearing that they need to ramp up supply, but that same supply should be phased out as quickly as possible.

KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM CHINA’S COMMUNISTY PARTY CONGRESS

Xi Jinping’s speech at a twice-a-decade meeting of the communist party held no surprises on the policy front, but an emphasis on energy security and a slow-and-steady transition leaves room for gas growth.

KAZAKHSTAN’S GAS DILEMMA: POLITICAL RISK INSIGHT

Political pressures are impeding gas market reform.

QAZAQGAZ’S LONG ROAD TO RELEVANCE

The gas pipeline monopolist plans to become Kazakhstan’s Gazprom.

FROM THE EDITOR: RECESSION LOOMS, BUT LNG LOOKS BULLET PROOF FOR NOW

In the short term, the LNG market looks very strong, but longer-term investments remain best by uncertainty.

TECHNOLOGY FOCUS: LNG EXPANDS SHIPPING FUEL MARKET SHARE, BUT WILL IT BE LEAPFROGGED?

A surge in orders for methanol-ready ships is bringing into question the extent and longevity of LNG’s role as an alternative shipping fuel.

LNG IS NEEDED TO UNDERPIN COAL PHASE-OUTS

Ending coal-fired power generation is a matter of urgency, and the quickest route to fulfilment is coal-to-gas switching. In many areas of the world this means more LNG – affordable LNG – but the supply response so far is insufficient.

VIETNAM ON THE CUSP OF LNG MARKET ENTRY

Vietnam is expected to become an LNG importer next year, but the future growth of import volumes depends on the outcome of the long-delayed eighth power development plan (PDP8) and on changes to the country’s opaque project implementation processes.

SEMPRA MOVES FORWARD WITH PORT ARTHUR LNG PLAN

Sempra is advancing towards an fid on port arthur LNG next year, representing a turnaround for a project that previously encountered a series of setbacks.

FROM THE EDITOR: COP27 FALLS SHORT

An estimated 45,000 delegates gathered at the Red sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh for the 27th conference of the parties. Not surprisingly, given the relaxing atmosphere and a near-global energy crisis, two weeks of talks did little to advance the low-carbon energy transition.

COP27: KEY OUTCOMES

The one thing that many of the participants agree on is that it is about time to reboot future COP summits.

FOOL’S GOLD, FOOL’S GREEN

Why a premature rush to electrolytic H2 may spell disaster for climate change mitigation.

AGDC HOPES TO ADD VALUE TO ALASKA LNG WITH HYDROGEN HUB PROPOSAL

The company behind the proposed Alaska LNG project is seeking to boost the scheme’s longer-term value with a plan to develop a related hydrogen hub in the state.

CNOOC TURNS TO GAS AND WIND TO POWER ITS CLIMATE EFFORTS

Offshore wind and gas are at the heart of the chinese energy giant’s plans to develop its low-carbon energy portfolio as it looks to align with government goals on clean development.