Sonatrach (Algeria) signs 12 bcm/year gas contracts with Spain and Italy

The Algerian oil and gas company Sonatrach has announced a nine-year gas supply contract with Spain for 9 bcm/year. Algeria is intensifying commercial relations with Europe, as Gas Natural Fenosa renewed its gas supply agreement with Sonatrach until 2030 in June 2018. Sonatrach currently supplies around 9.8 bcm/year to Gas Natural Fenosa.

In addition, Sonatrach has signed a contract with the Italian oil and gas company Eni for 3 bcm/year of gas; the timeframe of the contract was not disclosed. Eni currently produces 100,000 boe/d in Algeria and operates 32 mining permits in the country.

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Shandong province (China) plans to cut coal capacity

The Environmental Protection Bureau (SEPB) of the Shandong province of China has released a 3-year plan against pollution. Among its main objectives, the SEPB plans to reduce coal production by 10% by 2020, from 156 Mt to 140 Mt, to boost gas consumption to 15.8 bcm by 2020 by increasing LNG imports and ensure that LNG reaches an 8% share of energy consumption in the province. In addition, it plans to raise gas imports from other provinces and targets a 70% share of clean energy sources in rural areas originates by 2020.

The plan is a part of a national strategy against pollution released by China’s State Council, whose main pillars are to cut coal consumption, incite electric vehicle sales and shut outdated steel and coke facilities.

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Gazprom gas production up by 8.5% in 1st semester 2018 (Russia)

According to the state-run company Gazprom, exports of Russian gas to non-CIS (Community of Independent States) countries went up by 5.8% between January and June 2018 to reach 108.9 bcm. The largest hikes were reported in Germany (+12.2% or + 3.5 bcm), Austria (+52.3% or + 2.1 bcm), the Netherlands (+61.9% or +1.4 bcm), France (+12.5% or 0.8 bcm), Croatia (+45%, +0.6 bcm) and Poland (+6.7%).

Meanwhile, Gazprom's gas production increased by 8.5% over the time period and averaged 270.1 bcm. Its gas sales on the Russian domestic market also went up by 5.3% (7 bcm) since the beginning of the year. The company's total gas output in 2017 averages 471 bcm, which is 12.4% more than in 2016. For the end of 2018, Gazprom hopes to reach 476 bcm (+1%) but the forecast could still be adjusted and reviewed.

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