Natural Gas News – January 7, 2019

Natural Gas News – January 7, 2019

U.S. Liquefied Natural Gas Hits Record Highs Again

Forbes reported: Over the final week of 2018, U.S. feedgas for LNG exports surpassed 5 billion cubic feet per day for the first time ever This is an increase of over 60% for the same time in 2017. LNG is now 4% of total U.S. gas needs and remains our largest incremental market going forward. Bolstered by an easing of the trade war with China, the largest new gas user in the world (with nearly 15 regasification terminals scheduled to come on line 2020-2023), 2019 will be the “biggest year ever” for U.S. LNG. China was the third-largest buyer of U.S. LNG last year after Mexico and South Korea, despite having no off take agreements. There are now three U.S. LNG export facilities: Sabine Pass (LA), Cove Point (MD), and Corpus Christi (TX), with the latter just recently began commissioning liquefaction trains in November. There will be six such sites by the end of 2019.The first half of 2019 will a busy one for the U.S. LNG business. Green lighted final investment decisions for projects over the next six months could eventually inject $20-25 billion into the Gulf Coast region alone over the next four years.

Hundreds Temporarily Lose Natural Gas Service Pennsylvania

The Courier Express reported: Officials say hundreds of Pennsylvania utility customers who had their natural gas service temporarily shut off should have it restored by early Monday. Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania shut off service Saturday to about 1,700 customers in Washington County. That came after a contractor working on a gas line in Donora detected an influx of air in the line. The utility company says the decision to suspend service was made “out of an abundance of caution.” It says there’s no threat to customers. Technicians turned off all gas meters in the affected area in the state’s southwest corner before performing maintenance. The service restoration work started Sunday and should be completed sometime Monday morning.