MME propõe aliança global para fomentar biocombustíveis

Spanish Market: Biofuels, Natural gas
19/01/24

O ministro de Minas e Energia, Alexandre Silveira, propôs a criação de uma agência global para financiar a adoção de energias renováveis, em meio a esforços do Brasil para liderar a corrida mundial pela descarbonização.

Silveira compartilhou a iniciativa durante uma reunião da Aliança Global dos Biocombustíveis, no Fórum Econômico Mundial, em Davos, na Suíça, em 18 de janeiro.

Atualmente, o Brasil ocupa a presidência do G20, o que fornece "o foro necessário para consolidar os biocombustíveis como importantes vetores de promoção da transição energética", disse o ministro.

O diretor da Agência Internacional de Energia (IEA, na sigla em inglês), Fatih Birol, reconheceu as ações do país para desenvolver o setor de biocombustíveis e descarbonizar a frota de transportes, assim como seu potencial para a produção de biogás e biometano. O ministro de Petróleo e Gás Natural da Índia, Hardeep Singh Puri, também participou do encontro.

As questões ambientais possuem destaque na agenda do governo do presidente Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva desde a campanha eleitoral de 2022.

Em setembro de 2023, o governo federal apresentou o Projeto de Lei Combustível do Futuro para acelerar a transição energética e substituir gradualmente os combustíveis fósseis.

O programa pretende aumentar a mescla do etanol na gasolina, definir metas de emissões para o setor aéreo e incorporar gradativamente o diesel verde na matriz brasileira de combustíveis.

Por Laura Guedes

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03/12/24

Williams to sue Energy Transfer over gasline fight

New York, 3 December (Argus) — US natural gas pipeline company Williams plans to bring a "very large lawsuit" against its US midstream rival Energy Transfer after a legal dispute between the companies delayed construction of a project by Williams, Williams chief executive Alan Armstrong told Argus in an interview today. Armstrong said Energy Transfer is the only company in "pipeline history" to have defied industry norms over pipeline crossings in a bid to block competitors' projects . The market "was always very honorable" before that, he said. Armstrong said he hopes the lawsuit Williams intends to bring against Energy Transfer will undercut the "very bad precedent" set by Energy Transfer's alleged legal strategy and "stop the industry from spiraling into that kind of behavior." Energy Transfer did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Energy Transfer throughout 2023-24 tried to block Williams and other rival pipeline companies from building new gas pipelines across its own Tiger pipeline in northern Louisiana, located in the Haynesville shale near a cluster of planned LNG export terminals on the US Gulf coast. Energy Transfer argued that Williams and other pipeline companies' projects proposed an excessive number of crossings under and over its own pipelines, while its opponents argued it was merely interested in controlling market share. Beyond trying to block Williams from crossing the Tiger pipeline, Energy Transfer also prevailed upon federal regulators to review Williams' proposed 1.8 Bcf/d (51mn m³/d) Louisiana Energy Gateway (LEG) pipeline as an interstate transmission line, rather than a gathering line, as Williams claimed. This would have subjected LEG to more regulatory oversight. But the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in September denied the request . The broad legal strategy by Energy Transfer provoked ire from industry groups and now-Louisiana governor Jeff Landry (R), who warned it could threaten production growth out of the Haynesville and the coming US LNG export boom. Energy Transfer lost case after case to Williams in lawsuits spanning parishes across Louisiana, but the litigation pushed back the in-service date of LEG from late 2024 to the second half of 2025. The Tiger-LEG pipeline dispute was not the first time Williams and Energy Transfer had seen each other in court. After agreeing to merge in 2015, Energy Transfer in 2016 terminated the merger because of a tax issue that arose before closing. This led a Delaware judge in 2021 to make Energy Transfer pay Williams a $410mn breakup fee for deciding to pull out of its proposed $33bn merger. By Julian Hast Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Treasury eyes 45Z guidance before Biden exit

03/12/24

Treasury eyes 45Z guidance before Biden exit

New York, 3 December (Argus) — The US Department of Treasury said it still plans to issue guidance before president Joe Biden leaves office next year clarifying how refiners can qualify for a new tax credit for clean fuels. The agency "anticipates issuing guidance" around the Inflation Reduction Act's 45Z credit before 20 January to "enable producers to claim the 45Z credit for 2025", disputing a report today that the Biden administration planned on punting implementation to president-elect Donald Trump. The credit, set to kick off regardless on 1 January, will differ from some prior federal incentives by offering greater subsidies to fuels that produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions. Treasury did not commit to any definitive timeline for releasing guidance, and it did not immediately clarify how thorough any eventual rule would be. Companies in the biofuel supply chain say the current lack of clarity from Treasury — particularly on how it will calculate carbon intensities for various fuels and feedstocks — has slowed first quarter dealmaking. Government guidance could make or break the economics of certain plants, particularly for relatively higher-carbon fuels like soy biodiesel or jet fuel derived from corn ethanol. The US Department of Agriculture's timing for releasing a complementary rule to quantify the climate benefits of certain agricultural practices, envisioned as a way to reward refineries sourcing feedstocks from farms taking steps to reduce their emissions, is unclear. The agency said today that a "rulemaking process" in response to its request for information on climate-smart farm practices is "under consideration" but did not elaborate. Agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack had insisted earlier this year that his department would release some package before the end of Biden's term. Some industry groups remain pessimistic that the Biden administration will answer all of the thorny questions still lingering around the 45Z credit, especially given signals earlier this year that other Inflation Reduction Act programs would take priority. The Renewable Fuels Association, which represents ethanol producers, says final regulations around 45Z "seem highly unlikely" before the end of Biden's term but that it hopes Treasury releases at least some "basic information" or safe harbor provisions. Delays getting credit guidance could prod Congress to extend expiring biofuel incentives for another year, including a $1/USG credit for blenders of biomass-based diesel. Some formerly skeptical lobbying groups have recently come on board in support of an extension, fearing that biofuel production could slump next year given the lack of 45Z guidance and uncertainty about how Trump will implement clean energy tax credits. But four lobbyists speaking on background told Argus today that the proposal still faces long odds. Congress has various other priorities for its relatively brief lame duck session, including government funding and disaster aid, that take precedence over biofuels. A staffer with the Democratic-controlled US Senate Finance Committee said last month that Republicans have been reluctant to negotiate tax policy in a divided Congress this year when they are planning a far-reaching tax package under unified Republican control next year. By Cole Martin Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Argentina streamlines energy efficiency program

03/12/24

Argentina streamlines energy efficiency program

Montevideo, 3 December (Argus) — Argentina's government continues to fine-tune its energy efficiency program, eliminating red tape that slowed the import of appliances and machinery into the country. President Javier Milei's administration launched a new program in August to provide households and businesses with low-interest loans for energy efficiency. It has expanded the program to include more products and incentives. In late November, it announced a regulatory change for importing energy-efficient products, eliminating the need for performance testing, audits and other bureaucratic steps. Companies importing products now only have to provide an efficiency certification. The measure covers products from televisions for households to motors and pumps for businesses. The change is part of the government's efforts to deregulate the economy. It is juxtaposed to the president's skepticism for climate change. Milei eliminated the environment ministry and Argentina's delegation to the recent UN Cop 29 climate talks abruptly left the meeting. The change is part of the government's efforts to deregulate the economy to encourage investment and use of new technology. The government created in July the ministry of deregulation and state transformation and since then has eliminated hundreds of regulations, including more than 100 related to imports. The government has also eliminated more than 33,000 public sector jobs since Milei took office a year ago. "Any effort for energy efficiency has an immediate effect," said Nicolas Vizcaino, co-founder of Greempact, which creates energy-efficiency strategies for companies. "There is no excuse not to focus on efficiency." Greempact analyzes energy consumption data and other variables to create an energy baseline for clients. The data helps design strategies. Its strategies, which include changing technology, improving management and modifying production procedures, have helped some clients reduce consumption by more than 30pc, the company says. Vizcaino said efficiency is the key to the energy transition, because it not only saves a company money, but also has a positive impact on the entire system, from generation to distribution. "One megawatt of energy saved is less expensive and has a much greater impact than one megawatt of renewable energy added to a grid," he said. By Lucien Chauvin Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Industry wary of Trump tariffs on Canada, Mexico

03/12/24

Industry wary of Trump tariffs on Canada, Mexico

Washington, 3 December (Argus) — US president-elect Donald Trump's plan to impose 25pc tariffs on all imports from Canada and Mexico could have a profound impact on the US oil and gas industry and the US' diplomatic efforts, energy industry representatives said at an industry conference on Tuesday. Cenovus Energy, the second-largest oil and gas producer in Canada, is paying close attention to Trump's rhetoric on trade, and trying to "educate" policymakers in the incoming Trump administration on how tariffs on Canada could impact North America's deeply integrated energy system, Cenovus director of US government affairs Steve Higley said at the North American Gas Forum in Washington, DC. The US in 2023 imported 3.9mn b/d of crude oil from Canada and 730,000 b/d from Mexico, accounting for 60pc and 11pc of US crude imports, respectively, according to US Energy Information Administration (EIA) data. Refineries in the US Midwest's PADD 2 region also process about 2.5mn b/d of Canadian crude, Higley said. The US also exports a significant amount of natural gas to Mexico — 6.2 Bcf/d (176mn m³/d) in 2023, according to the EIA — which is another "reminder of how integrated the North American energy system is," said Dustin Meyer, senior vice president of policy at the influential trade group American Petroleum Institute (API). Retaliatory tariffs by Mexico, threatened by Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum last week in response to Trump's initial threat of tariffs, would likely impact that gas trade. Sheinbaum and Trump have since taken on a more conciliatory tone toward the subject after the two had what Trump called a "wonderful" conversation. API repeatedly called on Trump in his first administration to de-escalate his trade dispute with China, which it said threatened investment in US LNG. A section of API's website on trade titled "The Truth about Tariffs" reads: "Tariffs are taxes on imported goods that increase costs for consumers." Aside from the threat of tariffs causing "alarm" in Canada, it is not clear how US consumers would benefit from a tariff on all Canadian products, including oil and gas, said Robert Johnston, senior director of research at Columbia University's think tank Center on Global Energy Policy. On the diplomatic front, there is a "tension" between the incoming Trump administration's argument that US oil and gas production must be increased to support American allies, when it is also threatening tariffs to support American industry over that of its trade partners, Johnston said. The initiation of new trade disputes could also erode the US' ability to compete with China, said Jason Grumet, chief executive of trade group American Clean Power Association. "Are we trying to take China on alone, or are we trying to build a global economy of the democratic nations who have been our allies for 50 years?" Grumet asked. Whether the incoming Trump administration will actually go ahead with tariffs on Canada and Mexico is far from certain. From its rhetoric, the administration appears to care deeply about narrowing the US' trade deficit, leveraging its massive energy production on the global stage, and keeping energy prices low for US consumers, Meyer said. But "if that's the vision, what is the form that specific policies take?" he asked. By Julian Hast Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Hapag-Lloyd buys bio, e-methanol from China's Goldwind

29/11/24

Hapag-Lloyd buys bio, e-methanol from China's Goldwind

London, 29 November (Argus) — Germany-based containership owner Hapag-Lloyd has struck a long-term deal to buy 250,000 t/yr of blended biomethanol and e-methanol from Chinese wind turbine maker and project developer Goldwind. The deal lasts for more than 10 years and is legally binding, Hapag-Lloyd told Argus . Goldwind will supply Hapag-Lloyd with a smaller volume initially in 2026 and ramp up to 250,000 t/yr in late 2027. Hapag-Lloyd expects the initial volumes to largely fulfil demand from the five dual-fuel methanol ships it will operate from 2026, it said. Goldwind earlier this year started building a 500,000 t/yr plant in Hinggan League, northeast China. The so-called "hybrid" plants will make biomethanol and e-methanol, and Goldwind plans to add a second 500,000 t/yr plant in 2027, the shipowner said. Hapag-Lloyd's deal is for volume from the second plant, it added. The ratio of e-methanol in the deal is 30pc but could be raised to 50pc in the plant's lifetime, Hapag-Lloyd said. The fuel ensures greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions of at least 70pc to comply with current sustainability certification requirements, Hapag-Lloyd said. This is likely to refer to the FuelEU Maritime definition of low-carbon fuels as cutting GHG emissions by 70pc compared with fossil benchmarks. Goldwind previously struck a deal to supply 500,000 t/yr of the sustainable methanol mix to Danish shipping and logistics firm Maersk from 2026. While methanol appears to be gaining momentum, shipowners are pursuing a range of fuels for future fleets. Hapag-Lloyd last month ordered 24 dual-fuelled LNG containerships for a combined $4bn. By Aidan Lea Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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