Japan imported its 1st shipment of liquefied natural gas 50 years ago today. Now the nation is the world’s largest buyer of the fuel (and pioneered the industry). Hiroshi Anzai is the little known maverick who played a key role in Japan becoming an LNG juggernaut. thread below 👇

#hoonk

S&P Global produces some of the best infographics in the industry . Surely their talented artists can help make graphics for their social media channels too. #AIart #hoonk.

Italy’s Eni signs first long-term LNG purchase agreement with a US producer.🇮🇹 🤝 🇺🇸 . 🚢 Venture Global will supply Eni with 2m tons/year of LNG for 20 years from its CP2 project in the US (to start in 2027).💰 European companies locking in LNG supplies to replace Russian gas

This part also seems key:. ⚠️ the commission would consider a review the situation in 2027 — or after a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine — to assess whether the measures remain justified.

👉 The EU will clarify how a so-called emergency brake in response to price spikes would be triggered. 👉 The bloc will also find a way to tackle tariffs on oil and gas deliveries as a way to reduce costs.

The EU will take measures to soften the economic impact of a ban on Russian gas imports from 2028, according to the commission's president 🇪🇺💰. The move is to assure Slovakia, which still depends on Russian gas and had been blocking adoption of the ban.

India secures more LNG supply into the 2030s.🇮🇳 ♥️ 🚢 . 🤝 Gail announced that it signed a 10-year contract with Vitol from 2026.🔎 The company also just released a tender seeking supply from 2027-2036.📈 Move comes as India aims to double the gas in its energy mix by 2030

China's coal imports fall to a two-year low 🇨🇳⚠️. 📉 Import volumes in June fell to the lowest level since Feb. 2024, according to customs data.👉 Why? Domestic output booming, inventories high, renewables rapidly expanding, lackluster industrial demand.

China’s weak LNG demand is good news for other gas importers

Slovakia will agree to an EU ban on Russian gas imports… as long as there are measures to cushion the economic impact 🇸🇰 ⚠️ . 🙅 Slovakia had opposed the proposed ban from 2028 due to potential higher energy costs.👉 Slovakia still relies on Russian gas.

Brawn & Brains Coffee 🇸🇬

Japan's heatwave expected to continue for another month 🇯🇵🥵. 🌡️ Hotter-than-normal weather forecast through early-August.⚡ That will likely lift demand for natural gas and coal as air-conditioning requirements rise

Germany agrees to buy more LNG from the US for decades.🇩🇪🤝🇺🇸. 🚢 State-owned SEFE to buy additional 750,000 tons/year of LNG from Venture Global's CP2 export plant for 20 years.👉 German firms are increasingly turning to LNG (particularly from the US) to replace Russian gas

Hot summer weather isn't expected to revive China's weak LNG demand 🇨🇳⚠️. Here is why:.🪨 Cheap coal (LNG is expensive).🛢️ High fuel inventories.☀️ Increasing renewables.📈 More pipeline gas. This is good news for Europe, which needs more LNG to replace Russian pipeline gas

Thailand made “aggressive” adjustments for plans to purchase US LNG.🇹🇭🤝🇺🇸. ⚠️ This is part of a last-ditch effort to avert tariffs threatened by Trump.🤔 Thailand showed interest in the long delayed Alaska LNG project (but no binding deals signed yet).

China expands its largest coal power plant 🇨🇳 🪨. ⚡️ The 8th unit at the Beilun power facility recently started operations. A 9th is currently under construction.⚠️ This comes as maximum power load hit 1.5 terawatts on July 4, an all-time high.

One key unknown as the market heads into a glut is just how quickly big producers can ramp up output. 🇺🇸 The US, the world’s top exporter, is forecast to double shipments by 2030.🇶🇦 Qatar wants to lift production 85%.

A wave of new LNG production (the biggest yet) will transform the gas market 🚢. Canada's first major LNG plant started exports this week. That's just the beginning. About two dozen new projects are slated to lift global LNG capacity 40% by 2030 and help lower gas prices