Generic Hero BannerGeneric Hero Banner
Latest Market News

Traders expect low uptake of 5-year Latvian gas storage

  • Spanish Market: Natural gas
  • 28/01/25

Market participants expect limited demand for a new five-year gas storage product that Latvian operator Conexus will begin offering later this year.

Conexus will offer a five-year product for its 25TWh Incukalns storage site for the first time ever on 11 February. This five-year offering will be in addition to the one and two-year products already previously offered by Conexus, along with the storage transfer and interruptible capacity products.

All market participants surveyed by Argus expect weak demand for the five-year product, mostly because of unfavourable summer-winter spreads and traders' lack of willingness to commit to bookings that far ahead. Several respondents highlighted that only a limited pool of firms would be interested in planning their activities five years out. Most traders "do not look to the so distant future in the gas storage business", one said. "Not so many market players are ready to tie themselves to local gas markets for five storage cycles in a row," another said.

Several respondents criticised the product's rules, with one noting that it could even lead to storage utilisation falling, "considering the fines for inventory transfer between storage seasons". Traders would try to "squeeze out the pipeline/LNG supply potential, rather than over-injecting", they added. Another said they were concerned that the share of the overall storage capacity allocated to the five-year product was "too high" and would make it possible for some market participants to "hijack this very much needed capacity in a similar way" to what happens at the Latvian-Lithuanian border point of Kiemenai. Several traders have expressed frustration that annual capacity at Kiemenai has been fully booked but only a small part is at times used, blocking other shippers from accessing the capacity and resulting in low utilisation rates.

Another trader highlighted the product's limitation of only allowing a user to transfer up to 50pc of the total booked capacity from one storage cycle to the next without having to pay additional fees.

The previous set of capacity products has been "tested for years and proven to be working", another market participant said, arguing that "imperfect but certain conditions are better than uncertain ones".

One trader pointed out that a lack of interest in the five-year product could increase demand for the traditional one and two-year products, increasing the premium at these auctions further. Two other traders pointed out that given prevailing inverted summer-winter spreads, there is little financial incentive to book any capacity products, let alone make a five-year commitment. Ultimately, the "behaviour of local players is and will continue to be influenced by the closest summer-winter spread and the difference between this spread and the one-year storage tariff, not by long-term storage capacity of injection/withdrawal limits," one concluded.


Related news posts

Argus illuminates the markets by putting a lens on the areas that matter most to you. The market news and commentary we publish reveals vital insights that enable you to make stronger, well-informed decisions. Explore a selection of news stories related to this one.

30/01/25

Trump to impose 25pc tariffs on Canada, Mexico

Trump to impose 25pc tariffs on Canada, Mexico

Washington, 30 January (Argus) — President Donald Trump said today he will proceed with plans to impose tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico on 1 February and explicitly referenced their potential application to crude imports. "I'll be putting the tariff of 25pc on Canada, and separately, 25pc on Mexico," Trump told reporters at the White House. "We will really have to do that, because we have very big deficits with those countries. Those tariffs may or may not rise with time." Pressed to explain if his tariffs may exempt crude imports, Trump said he was not inclined to exclude them but has yet to make a decision. "We may or may not" exclude oil, Trump said. "It depends on what the price is, if the oil is properly priced, if they treat us properly." Trump added: "We're going to make that determination, probably tonight, on oil." The looming face-off on tariffs has unnerved US oil producers and refiners, which are warning of severe impacts to the integrated North American energy markets if taxes are imposed on flows from Canada and Mexico to the US. Industry trade group the American Petroleum Institute has lobbied the administration to exclude crude from tariffs. US refiner Valero said today that a 25pc tariff on Canadian imports would force it to find alternative sources of crude, potentially resulting in a 10pc cut to throughputs. Valero's refining footprint in the US Gulf coast allows it to source feedstocks from around the world, but there is a point where a limit on heavy feedstocks like those from Canada could affect production of refined products, said chief operating officer Gary Simmons. Nearly all of Mexico's roughly 500,000 b/d of crude shipments to the US in January-November 2024 were waterborne cargoes sent to US Gulf coast refiners. Those shipments in the future could be diverted to Asia or Europe. Canadian producers have much less flexibility, as more than 4mn b/d of Canada's exports are wholly dependent on pipeline routes to and through the US. Canadian crude that flows through the US for export from Gulf coast ports would be exempt from tariffs under current trade rules, providing another potential outlet for Alberta producers — unless Trump's potential executive action on Canada tariffs eliminates that loophole. Trump frequently makes the case that foreign suppliers are solely responsible for paying tariffs. In reality, US importers pay the tariffs, and such costs are typically passed on to consumers. In the case of Canadian and Mexican crude, the US refiners that buy from those countries would pay a tax on the value of crude imports. Whether the price of Canadian crude falls by a sufficient amount to offset the 25pc tariff would depend on the market power of individual US refiners and Canadian producers, as well as actions by the Alberta government, according to a recent report by the Congressional Research Service. US refineries with access to alternative suppliers could source crude from non-Canadian producers, potentially keeping their additional costs below 25pc. Conversely, import reductions could pressure prices for Western Canadian Select (WCS) crude. In turn, Alberta could reimpose a production curtailment policy in a bid to narrow WCS discounts, the report said. By Haik Gugarats Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Study calls for e-fuels bunker subsidies, GHG tax


30/01/25
30/01/25

Study calls for e-fuels bunker subsidies, GHG tax

New York, 30 January (Argus) — E-fuel subsidies and a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions tax is needed for e-fuels to compete as a bunkering fuel before 2044, said a study by maritime consultancy University Maritime Advisory Services (Umas) and the UCL Energy Institute. The study found that adding a multiplier of the GHG intensity credit given to e-fuels could help to make e-fuel use financially competitive, but it would have to be set at high levels at the start. Using a multiplier of two, where one ship running on zero emissions e-fuel could generate credits to offset three other similar ships operating on conventional fossil fuels, was not able to make e-fuels more competitive before 2041. The multiplier would have to be set initially at 15 in 2030, falling to 10 by 2035, to enable the competitiveness of e-fuels, concludes the study. Additionally, levying a GHG tax or fee of $150-$300/t of CO2-equivalent would also make e-fuels more competitive. A tax of $30-$120/t CO2e is close to the aggregate level of subsidies, and would not create a sustained promotion of e-fuels. Under the current marine fuel standards, a combination of fossil fuels, including LNG, biofuels and carbon capture and storage systems would be most competitive up until 2036. After, blue ammonia dual fuel ships would be the lowest-cost solution until 2044. Ships that were more competitive from 2027-2035 would have at least 25pc higher operating cost from 2040 onwards. Thus, if ship owners order newbuild vessels to maximize short-term competitiveness, the sector is at a "major risk of technology lock-in" and will not be as cost-effective for reaching net zero by 2050. The study models a 2027-build, 14,000 twenty-foot equivalent unit container ship. The vessel sails between Asia and Latin America using different marine fuels such as bio-methanol, e-methanol, LNG, bio-LNG, e-LNG, bio-marine gasoil (MGO), e-MGO and very low-sulphur fuel oil. By Stefka Wechsler Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

US growth slowed to 2.3pc in 4Q


30/01/25
30/01/25

US growth slowed to 2.3pc in 4Q

Houston, 30 January (Argus) — US economic growth slowed in the fourth quarter as falling private investment and exports offset gains in consumer spending. Growth in gross domestic product (GDP) slowed to a 2.3pc annual pace in the fourth quarter, down from 3.1pc in the third quarter, the Bureau of Economic Analysis reported Thursday. Consumer spending in the fourth quarter rose to a 4.2pc annual pace, up from 3.7pc in the prior quarter and the highest rate since the first quarter of 2023. Spending on goods rose by 6.6pc from a year earlier and spending on services rose by 3.1pc. Private investment fell by 5.6pc following an annual gain of 0.8pc in the third quarter. Residential investment rose at a 5.3pc annual pace after a 4.3pc drop in the prior quarter. Spending on equipment fell by 7.8pc after gaining 11pc in the prior quarter. Government spending and investment slowed to a 2.5pc annual gain from 5.1pc in the prior quarter. Defense spending rose by 3.3pc after climbing at a 13pc pace in the third quarter. Net exports in the fourth quarter fell by 0.8pc from a year earlier after a gain of 9.6pc in the prior quarter. Net imports fell on the year by 0.8pc. US economic growth for full-year 2024 slowed to 2.8pc from 2.9pc in 2023. GDP in 2022 rose by 2.5pc. By Bob Willis Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

US’ Calcasieu Pass LNG repair work to end by Feb: Ferc


30/01/25
30/01/25

US’ Calcasieu Pass LNG repair work to end by Feb: Ferc

London, 30 January (Argus) — The remaining construction work at US LNG developer Venture Global's 12.4mn t/yr Calcasieu Pass export terminal is set to end by February, according to US energy regulator Ferc, which could allow the facility to start commercial operations. Calcasieu Pass loaded its first LNG cargo in March 2022. But the terminal has not yet been fully commissioned because of "performance deficiencies" with the facility's heat recovery steam generators, Venture Global told Ferc in February 2024 . Calcasieu Pass has five heat recovery steam generators, four of which have been repaired, Ferc said following an inspection of the terminal on 22 January. Repair work on the fifth generator is scheduled to be completed by February, Ferc added. Venture Global said in late December that it expects to start commercial operations at Calcasieu Pass by the end of March 2025, at which point the terminal's long-term offtake agreements will begin to apply. Calcasieu Pass has exported 418 cargoes since March 2022, according to data from ship-tracking firm Vortexa. The sale of these commissioning cargoes had generated Venture Global a revenue of $19.6bn by the end of September, the company said in December, ahead of its initial public offering. Venture Global has signed offtake agreements for all of Calcasieu Pass' 10mn t/yr of base capacity, as well as for 50pc of the volumes produced in excess of its nameplate capacity ( see table ). Seven long-term offtakers have launched arbitration proceedings against Venture Global over an alleged breach of contract for deliveries from the terminal. By Cerys Edwards Calcasieu Pass offtake agreements mn t/yr Offtaker Volume Duration ( yrs ) Nameplate capacity Shell 2.0 20 BP 2.0 20 Orlen 1.5 20 Edison 1.0 20 Galp 1.0 20 Repsol 1.0 20 Unipec 1.0 3 CNOOC Gas and Power Singapore Trading 0.5 5 Excess capacity BP 1.2 20 — Venture Global Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

UK sets out '1.5°C-aligned' climate plan to 2035


30/01/25
30/01/25

UK sets out '1.5°C-aligned' climate plan to 2035

London, 30 January (Argus) — The UK has released its third national climate plan, reiterating its commitment to Paris climate agreement goals, and to its 2035 target of an 81pc cut in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, from 1990 levels. UK prime minister Keir Starmer announced the 2035 target at the UN Cop 29 climate summit in November last year. Countries and jurisdictions that are signatories to the Paris climate agreement commit to submitting new national climate plans — known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs) — every five years, to UN climate body the UNFCCC. The agreement includes a ratchet mechanism, whereby climate targets should become more ambitious over time. Today's NDC — the UK's third — covers 2031-35. The document consolidates plans already in place, and flags upcoming strategies. The government plans for "clean sources" of power to make up 95pc of the country's generation by 2030, cutting carbon intensity of electricity generation to "well below" 50g CO2 equivalent (CO2e) per kWh in 2030. Carbon intensity was 171g CO2e/kWh in 2023. And the plan notes that the UK was the first G7 country to shut down all coal-fired power , closing its last plant in September 2024. The government has pledged "an initial" £3.4bn ($4.24bn) towards decarbonising heat and improving household energy efficiency over the next three years, and will introduce the delayed clean heat market mechanism in April. The scheme will require boiler manufacturers to ensure a proportion of their sales are "low carbon options". The plan sets out the government's manifesto pledge to phase out sales of new cars "relying solely on internal combustion engines" by 2030, and notes that it will consult on issuing no new oil and gas licences to explore new fields. The government also promises "an updated cross-economy plan to meet our climate targets in due course", as well as a new industrial decarbonisation strategy by 2026. The NDC is in line with advice from the UK's independent advisory Climate Change Committee , and with the country's legally binding sixth carbon budget. The latter includes international aviation and shipping emissions, although NDCs do not require this. The UK's third NDC is "a credible contribution towards limiting warming to 1.5 °C and it sits within a range of Paris-consistent equity metrics", the government said. The Paris accord seeks to limit the rise in global temperature to "well below" 2°C above pre-industrial levels, and preferably to 1.5°C. The country's Labour government, which took power in July last year, has repeatedly underlined its commitment to the UK's legally binding target of net zero GHG emissions by 2050. The plan took some direction from the outcome of Cop 28 , in December 2023. Countries agreed at Cop 28 to transition away from fossil fuels and to treble renewable energy capacity to 11,000GW by 2030. The NDC also underlined the UK's commitment to spending £11.6bn in international climate finance over April 2021-March 2026, and will outline future climate finance plans in its spring 2026 spending review. UK international climate finance over April 2011-March 2024 reduced or avoided 105mn t of GHG emissions, the government said. By Georgia Gratton Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Generic Hero Banner

Business intelligence reports

Get concise, trustworthy and unbiased analysis of the latest trends and developments in oil and energy markets. These reports are specially created for decision makers who don’t have time to track markets day-by-day, minute-by-minute.

Learn more