In this Issue:

EDITORIAL: WISHFUL THINKING

Recent developments will see iocs accelerate their shift away from oil and gas. The production they leave behind will not exit the market, but rather fall into different hands.

MYANMAR COUP HAMSTRINGS EXPLORATION INVESTMENT

International investors will struggle to justify exploration investment in the country regardless of whether sanctions are imposed on the sector.

SHALE CONSOLIDATION IN FULL SWING

The consolidation of the US shale industry continues, and some major gasfocused deals are in the process of closing.

NORD STREAM 2 PROSPECTS BRIGHTEN

With US sanctions still in place and EU legislative obstacles looming, however, the Russian project is not out of the wood just yet.

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA’S LNG PROSPECTS COULD BE DERAILED BY WESTERN OIL MAJORS’ SHIFTING COURSE

Sub-Saharan Africa’s dependence on foreign oil majors for LNG development leaves it vulnerable to the changing sentiments of western boardrooms. The energy transition could result in LNG production being concentrated in the hands of the lowest-cost producers, with sub-saharan african gas reserves most at risk of being stranded.

AFRICA TO BEAR BRUNT OF GAS INVESTMENT CUTS: TEMA LNG HEAD

“This is not going to be good for anybody. African countries will not turn to renewables if they can’t get access to gas”

GAS TO REMAIN EGYPT’S BACKBONE: EGA HEAD

Khaled Abubakr, chair of the Egyptian Gas Association, says the iea’s recent call for investment in oil and gas to end “does not represent the voice of Africa.”

FROM THE EDITOR: LNG MARKET STRENGTH SUSTAINED

Firm spot LNG prices could turn the sector around this year, although whether it will be enough to support final investment decisions for new projects remains an open question. This is a market with many moving parts, both short and long term

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT: DRIFTWOOD LNG

Two new offtake agreements have pushed LNG developer tellurian’s Driftwood project back into the limelight.

MOZAMBIQUE: AN UNEXPECTED UPRISING

Mozambique is on the verge of realising its massive LNG potential. But an extremely violent insurgency is destabilising the Cabo Delgado province, casting serious doubt not only over the timing of the country’s LNG production but the broader demand/supply balance of the LNG market in the mid- to late-2020s.

FROM THE EDITOR: IEA’S REPUTATION SUFFERS A BLOW

It appears that the IEA’s executive director, fatih birol, has lost patience with the world.

IEA NET-ZERO ROADMAP “A FAIRY TALE”

“Not all fairy tales end well” An interview with Cyril Widdershoven, energy analyst at VEROCY.

GAS TO REMAIN STAPLE IN EUROPE EVEN IN NET-ZERO FUTURE: STUDY

The study commissioned by the Hydrogen4EU consortium concludes that Europe will need similar amounts of gas in a feasible net-zero future as it does today, while post-combustion carbon capture and storage trumps blue hydrogen.

SHELL TO FAST-TRACK TRANSITION PLANS AFTER DUTCH RULING

The industry’s fear is that the ruling sets a precedent that could lead to similar lawsuits cropping up in multiple other jurisdictions.

UK HYDROGEN AND THE ROUTE TO MARKET

How, when and where hydrogen will be produced in enough quantity for trade and supply remain big unknowns. But some of the building blocks are in place.

G7 AND THE WORLD OF NET ZERO

As the US president embarks on a tour of europe to reassure leaders of stability and consensus, the world’s stage for a net-zero 2050 is far from set