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IEA Official Says Increased LNG Imports to United States Unlikely
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March 11, 2010
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Speaking at CERA Week in Houston, Nobuo Tanaka, executive director for the International Energy Agency, said that North American shale gas plays are likely to limit LNG imports to the U.S. market. Tanaka also said that increased shale gas production has been a factor in the de-linking of gas prices from crude oil prices. The Wall Street Journal [subscription required] offers further coverage.
Separately, Reuters reports that a number of energy industry executives, also speaking at CERA Week, said that they are reevaluating their companies' activities in the LNG market as production from shale gas plays increases. However, several industry officials expect natural gas demand to increase after 2012.
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LNG Deliveries to Golden Pass Terminal Expected to Begin in September 2010
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March 11, 2010
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The CEO of RasGas told the Wall Street Journal [subscription required] at CERA Week that he expects the first LNG cargo to be delivered to the Golden Pass LNG terminal within a "September time frame."
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FERC Schedules Public Meetings on Pipeline Project Associated with Oregon LNG Terminal
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March 11, 2010
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FERC has scheduled three public meetings on April 20, 21, and 22, 2010, to hear testimony regarding the Oregon Pipeline, a pipeline associated with the planned Oregon LNG import terminal. The complete schedule of public meetings is available in the FERC eLibrary under Docket No. AD10-6.
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European LNG Headlines
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March 11, 2010
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- Croatia Paves Way for Adriatic LNG Terminal (Reuters)
- Greece and Qatar Discuss the Installation of an LNG Terminal (Balkans.com)
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Jamaican Government Expected to Select LNG Project Winner by April 15
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March 10, 2010
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An official with Jamaica's state-owned Petroleum Corp. told Platts LNG Daily [subscription required] that he expects the winner of the bidding process to construct and operate an LNG terminal in Jamaica will be announced between March 31 and April 15, 2010.
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Analyst: North American Shale Gas Could Drive LNG to European Markets
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March 10, 2010
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Speaking yesterday at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C., BSA Energy President Ben Schlesinger said that increased development of unconventional gas plays in North America may trigger a natural gas glut in Europe. Platts LNG Daily reports that Schlesinger predicted that as production increases from North American shale gas projects, LNG that initially was expected to be imported into the United States likely will be diverted to European destinations. [Subscription required]
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Hess LNG CEO Testifies Before R.I. Senate Task Force
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March 10, 2010
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Gordon Shearer, CEO of Hess LNG, testified before the Rhode Island Senate's task force on LNG about the company's planned Weaver's Cove LNG import project. Shearer highlighted several economic benefits likely created by the project and said that a number of assertions made by opponents of the project were inaccurate and potentially misleading. The Providence Journal provides additional coverage.
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Editorial Argues Against Bradwood Landing LNG Project
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March 10, 2010
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An editorial published by the Daily Astorian argues against building the Bradwood Landing LNG project, suggesting that FERC should proactively analyze the strategic need for the project.
Separately, the National Marine Fisheries Service request for more time to complete its analysis of the potential impacts of the Bradwood Landing LNG project on endangered species is now available in the FERC eLibrary under Docket No. CP06-365.
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Algerian Energy Minister: Unconventional Gas Likely to Limit U.S. LNG Imports "For Some Time"
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March 9, 2010
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Speaking to Reuters yesterday, Algeria's Energy Minister Chakib Khelil said that he expects the global LNG market to improve within two or three years. However, Minister Khelil also said that "the U.S. [LNG] market is probably gone for some time to come because of the huge unconventional gas that has been developed all over the United States."
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European LNG Headlines
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March 9, 2010
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- 4Gas Shelves Dutch LionGas Terminal Project (Platts LNG Daily) [Subscription required]
- Total Acquires 10% of Dunkirk LNG Terminal Project (Platts LNG Daily) [Subscription required]
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NMFS Requests Extension to Study Potential Affects of Bradwood Landing LNG Project on Endangered Species
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March 8, 2010
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The Daily Astorian reports that the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has requested an extension of time until December 31, 2010, to study the potential affects of the Bradwood Landing LNG project on endangered species. An official with Bradwood Landing LNG developer NorthernStar Natural Gas said that "both FERC and Bradwood must agree to any extension beyond the statutory limit." The official noted that project developers expect to meet with FERC and NMFS to discuss the extension request in the coming weeks.
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Louisiana Appellate Court Hears Oral Arguments in Dispute Over Cameron LNG Site
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March 8, 2010
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KPLC News (Lake Charles, LA) reports that the Louisiana Third Circuit Court of Appeal heard oral arguments last week in the ongoing dispute between the Port of Lake Charles and the West Cameron Port Authority over whether Lake Charles has the authority to lease land to Sempra LNG for the Cameron LNG import facility.
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FERC Chairman Responds to Canadian Ambassador's Letter Concerning LNG Transit Through Canadian Waters
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March 8, 2010
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In late February, FERC Chairman Jon Wellinghoff responded to a letter from Canadian Ambassador to the United States Gary Doer. In his response, Chairman Wellinghoff stated that the Commission recognizes that "issues relating to LNG tanker passage through Canadian waters have not been resolved," but that FERC would continue to process the LNG terminal applications filed by Downeast and Calais LNG. Chairman Wellinghoff's letter is available in the FERC eLibrary under Docket No. CP10-32.
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European LNG Headlines
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March 8, 2010
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- Total to Invest in EDF LNG Terminal Near Site of Shut Refinery (Business Week)
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Analyst: Costa Azul Terminal Could Receive Two LNG Cargos Per Month in 2010
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March 8, 2010
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Steve Johnson, president of Waterborne Energy, told Platts LNG Daily [subscription required] that he believes Sempra's Energia Costa Azul LNG import terminal will receive two cargos per month once the Tangguh LNG liquefaction project in Indonesia comes on stream. This estimate accounts for certain contractual arrangements that allow some LNG cargos to be diverted from Costa Azul LNG to more profitable destinations.
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European LNG Headlines
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March 5, 2010
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- Spanish Spot LNG Prices Valued Slightly Down (Platts LNG Daily) [Subscription required]
- French Weekly LNG Inputs Rise 47.5% on the Year to 11.5 TBtu (Platts LNG Daily) [Subscription required]
- U.K. Sees Steady LNG Flows, but U.S. Prices Offer Challenge (Platts LNG Daily) [Subscription required]
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Canaport LNG Seeking to Double Winter Sendout in 2010-2011
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March 5, 2010
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Phil Ribbeck, head of Repsol Energy North America, said this week that he hopes to double the natural gas sendout from the Canaport LNG terminal during the 2010-2011 winter heating season. Ribbeck said that the average daily natural gas sendout this year was 400 MMcf/d and he hopes to increase sendout to approximately 800 MMcf/d next year. Read more in the Telegraph-Journal.
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Oregon DEQ Hosts Meeting on Bradwood Landing LNG Project
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March 5, 2010
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The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) hosted a public meeting this week to hear testimony from local residents and answer questions about the Bradwood Landing LNG terminal. The Daily Astorian reports that approximately 200 people attended the meeting and that at least sixty members of the public offered comments about the project. An official with NorthernStar Natural Gas, the developer of the Bradwood Landing LNG project, offered a ten-minute presentation summarizing the Bradwood Landing application to DEQ and explaining the Salmon Enhancement Initiative that would offset some of the environmental impacts of the project.
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Weaver's Cove LNG Project Backers Speak at Town Council Meeting
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March 5, 2010
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Representatives for Hess LNG, the company developing the Weaver's Cove LNG import project, presented information about their project to the Bristol, R.I., Town Council this week. EastBayRI.com reports that several town councilors questioned the officials regarding safety and security planning and local impacts of LNG vessel transits.
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Editorial Argues in Favor of U.S. Senate LNG Siting Bill
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March 5, 2010
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An editorial carried by the Baltimore Sun today argues in favor of a bill introduced in the U.S. Senate that would give greater authority over LNG terminal siting to states. The piece suggests that criticisms of Maryland for NIMBYism are not appropriate because the state has consistently supported the Cove Point LNG terminal located in southern Maryland.
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CLNG Says Senate LNG Bill to Repeal Part of EPACT 2005 May Limit States' Involvement in LNG Siting Process
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March 4, 2010
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Center for LNG President Bill Cooper told Platts LNG Daily [subscription required] that a bill proposed in the U.S. Senate that would repeal section 311 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005) may actually limit state and local government involvement in the LNG project siting process. According to Cooper, prior to EPACT 2005, the only way state agencies could influence FERC's LNG siting process was by intervening in the Commission's proceeding. Now, says Cooper, state and local officials are "ingrained into the process."
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Barclays: Gazprom's European Gas Pricing May Direct More LNG to U.S. Market
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March 4, 2010
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In a report released earlier this week, Barclays Capital said that Gazprom's recent revision of its natural gas pricing formula for European customers, allowing up to 15% of Gazprom's gas sales contracts to be linked to spot gas prices, may drive excess Atlantic basin LNG to U.S. import terminals over the next three years. Read more in Platts LNG Daily. [Subscription required]
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Province of New Brunswick Responds to Calais LNG
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March 4, 2010
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The Province of New Brunswick has filed an answer this week to comments Calais LNG made regarding a motion to reject and other comments previously filed with FERC by the Province. Notably, New Brunswick rejects Calais LNG's assertion that FERC should limit the scope of the Province's intervention in this proceeding, emphasizing that Calais LNG mischaracterized FERC's treatment of New Brunswick in the Downeast LNG proceeding. In addition, New Brunswick notes that Calais LNG has admitted that it did not provide required information regarding the cumulative impacts of the Calais and Downeast LNG projects as required under the National Environmental Policy Act and FERC's regulations. The Province also asserts that Calais LNG has not provided any information regarding LNG vessel transit routes that would account for Canada's continued prohibition of LNG vessel transit through Head Harbour Passage. The Province's filing is available in the FERC eLibrary under Docket No. CP10-31.
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Op-Ed Raises Safety, Economic and Environmental Concerns with Weaver's Cove LNG Project
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March 4, 2010
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The Providence Journal carries an op-ed today written by John Torgan, director of advocacy for Save the Bay, which cites safety, economic and environmental concerns as reasons to oppose the Weaver's Cove LNG project.
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European LNG Headlines
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March 4, 2010
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- Europe to Favor LNG over Shale Plays: Analysts (Platts LNG Daily) [Subscription required]
- Poland Arranges Financing for LNG Import Terminal (Business Week)
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U.S. Senators Introduce Legislation to Grant States Greater Authority Over LNG Facility Siting
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March 3, 2010
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United States Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) jointly introduced a bill that would repeal a portion of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 which gave FERC authority over the siting of LNG terminals. According to a press release from Sen. Wyden's office, this bill is identical to S. 2822 which he introduced in the last session of Congress. The Associated Press provides additional coverage.
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Gazprom Official Expects LNG to Compete with Shale Plays for U.S. Gas Market Share
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March 3, 2010
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Speaking yesterday in Paris, Gazprom Deputy CEO Alexander Medvedev said that he expects LNG to compete with shale gas plays for U.S. natural gas market share. According to Business Week, Medvedev also said that he does not see any reason for Gazprom to revise its goal to capture 10% of the U.S. gas market by 2020.
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Local Officials Present Opposition to Weaver's Cove LNG Project
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March 3, 2010
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Four local officials testified against the Weaver's Cove LNG project yesterday before a Rhode Island Senate task force reviewing the LNG proposal. The Providence Journal reports that the officials, which included fire chiefs and town administrators, raised security and environmental concerns.
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Elba Island LNG Terminal Expansion, Elba Express Pipeline Placed In Service
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March 3, 2010
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El Paso Corp. announced yesterday that it has placed the Elba Island LNG Terminal Expansion and Elba Express natural gas pipeline in service. The company says that the three new vaporizer units that were part of the expansion have raised the facility's sendout capacity to 1.75 Bcf/d. A new storage tank, also part of the expansion, will be placed in service this summer. Reuters provides further coverage.
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European LNG Headlines
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March 3, 2010
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- Georgia Commits to Transiting LNG for Bulgaria (Novinite)
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Maryland Completes Intergovernmental Review of Sparrows Point LNG Project
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March 2, 2010
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Last month Maryland's Department of Planning informed FERC that the Maryland Intergovernmental Review and Coordination process has been completed for Sparrows Point LNG. The Department of Planning's letter to FERC is available in the eLibrary under Docket No. CP07-62.
Separately, FERC staff announced the availability of a revised Draft Final General Conformity Determination for Pennsylvania for the Sparrows Point LNG project and associated pipelines. FERC concluded that the portions of the project that will be located in Pennsylvania will achieve conformity with applicable state and federal air quality standards once project developers purchase the requisite number of NOx offsets. FERC's draft is also available in the eLibrary under Docket No. CP07-62.
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Mass. State Rep: No Plans to Revive LNG Project on Outer Brewster Island
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March 2, 2010
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Clarifying remarks he made previously, Mass. State Rep. Garrett Bradley (D) said that he is not aware of any plans to review previous plans for an LNG import project on or near Outer Brewster Island. However, he told the Patriot Ledger that "it could become an issue down the road."
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Editorial: Weaver's Cove LNG Would Have No Effect on Bringing America's Cup Yacht Race to Narragansett Bay
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March 2, 2010
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An editorial carried by the Providence Journal argues that the Weaver's Cove LNG import project, if constructed, would have no effect on efforts to bring the America's Cup yacht race to Narragansett Bay.
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European LNG Headlines
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March 2, 2010
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- Gazprom CEO Expects Future Cooperation with GDF Suez on LNG and Other Energy Issues (RFI)
- Councillors Welcome Power Plant Associated with Shannon LNG Project (Irish Times)
- U.K. to Top Spain for LNG Imports (Calgary Herald)
- Qatar Expects to Export LNG to Poland by 2014 (Business Week)
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Oregon DEQ to Discuss Bradwood Landing LNG Project Tomorrow Evening
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March 2, 2010
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Officials with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) have scheduled a meeting for tomorrow evening to discuss state environmental permits sought by the developers of the Bradwood Landing LNG import project. Read more in the Longview Daily News (Wash.).
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El Paso May Adjust Ownership Structure of Elba Island LNG Terminal
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March 2, 2010
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In a conference call with financial analysts yesterday, El Paso Corp. executives said that they are considering selling the Elba Island LNG import terminal and associated pipeline to El Paso Pipeline Partners LP, the company’s master limited partnership subsidiary. According to Business Week, the executives noted that the LNG terminal and pipeline provide consistent revenue and low maintenance costs.
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Cove Point LNG Requests Authorization to Begin Construction on Pier Reinforcement Project
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March 1, 2010
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Dominion Cove Point LNG, LP has requested written authorization from FERC to begin construction on the Pier Reinforcement Project by March 12, 2010. The request is available in the FERC eLibrary under Docket No. CP09-60.
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Kitimat CEO Hails KOGAS Investment in British Columbian Natural Gas
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March 1, 2010
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Korea Gas Corp. (KOGAS) announced yesterday that it will invest $1.1 billion in natural gas production in British Columbia, Canada, over the next five years. Kitimat LNG CEO Rosemary Boulton told the Globe and Mail that the investment "validates" investments in the Kitimat LNG liquefaction terminal, although KOGAS and Kitimat LNG have not entered into any commercial agreements.
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Sandia Laboratory Updating and Expanding LNG Safety Studies
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March 1, 2010
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The Sandia National Laboratories are updating and expanding their previous studies of LNG safety issues. Specifically, the new studies will analyze the potential effects of large LNG spills and cascading storage tank failures aboard LNG vessels. According to Platts LNG Daily, the report is not expected until the end of 2010. [Subscription required]
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Freeport LNG Donation Pays for Fire Extinguisher Training Pit
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March 1, 2010
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The Facts reports that a $12,000 donation from Freeport LNG to Freeport Fire and EMS paid for a new fire extinguisher training pit. The training pit can be transported around the community for fire safety demonstrations and training.
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Grand Bahama Power Pursuing LNG Project
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March 1, 2010
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Alan Kelley, CEO of Grand Bahama Power Co., said recently that his company is pursuing an LNG import project on Grand Bahama Island. Kelley said that LNG imports would facilitate industrial growth and lower fuel costs for electricity generation. Read more in The Tribune (Nassau, Bahamas).
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European LNG Headlines
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February 26, 2010
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- U.K.'s Centrica Buys Suncor LNG Asset in Trinidad (Reuters)
- U.K. South Hook LNG Flows Soar as Terminal Commissioning Continues (Platts LNG Daily) [Subscription required]
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U.S. ACE to Study Widening of Bayou Casotte Ship Channel
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February 26, 2010
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The U.S. Army of Corps of Engineers has begun to evaluate widening the Bayou Casotte ship channel. A representative for Gulf LNG said that although the ship channel at present is sufficient for the terminal's anticipated needs, a wider channel may permit two-way ship traffic, night transits, and operation in high wind conditions. Read more in the Mississippi Press.
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Editorial Argues Against LNG Vessels in Boston Harbor
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February 28, 2010
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An editorial carried by the Chelsea Record (Mass.) argues that LNG vessels should unload their cargos at offshore deepwater ports, not at the Everett LNG facility near Boston.
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