Energy Voice – Out Loud

EVOL: Super regulator, wind bailouts and Tullow’s turn

The AGCC has proposed a new regulator to oversee the energy industry, safe from political interference. Ryan takes us through the pros and cons of the plan, although a comparison to the Bank of England falls slightly on deaf ears.
The German government stepped in this week to help tide Siemens Energy over, which has been dragged down by some of its wind unit’s woes. For now, it seems the price of keeping supply chains running is 15 billion euros in loans and guarantees.
Tullow has managed some deft financing this week, bringing in Glencore to provide a $400mn facility, even while warning that production will not hit expectations. Despite missing its targets, there are some signs that Tullow’s execs are righting the ship ahead of the debt cliff edge in 2025-26. 
About Energy Voice
Energy Voice investigates and reports on what matters in global energy, helping sector leaders understand the geopolitical and economic factors underpinning current events, and giving them a view on what’s coming over the horizon. Each year, 3.4m professionals use Energy Voice as a trusted source of breaking news and insight.
For more information on how you can speak to those professionals across multiple platforms to build your brand and generate actionable business leads, visit energyvoice.com/content-services.
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EVOL: Penguins protest, Rosebank sale and low-carbon crude

Why is Shell suing Greenpeace? That question and more on this weeks EVOL as the team dive into the latest clash between the oil major and NGO on the Penguins North Sea FPSO.
The pod squad also talk reports of Equinor seeking a sale of a portion of its stake in the Rosebank oilfield in the West of Shetland.
And there’s a new “low carbon” crude coming out of Nigeria – but will it make a big difference to the emissions profile of the product? 
 
About Energy Voice
Energy Voice investigates and reports on what matters in global energy, helping sector leaders understand the geopolitical and economic factors underpinning current events, and giving them a view on what’s coming over the horizon. Each year, 3.4m professionals use Energy Voice as a trusted source of breaking news and insight.
For more information on how you can speak to those professionals across multiple platforms to build your brand and generate actionable business leads, visit energyvoice.com/content-services.
For a 30 day free trial subscription to the Energy Voice website and app, visit energyvoice.com/subscribe.

EVOL: US wind impairments, LNG delays and grounded helis

While this quarter’s earnings fortnight has ushered in big deals in US oil and gas, it has also spelled out big trouble for US offshore wind.
Andrew breaks down the impact of some major writedowns by the likes of BP, Equinor and Orsted, all of whom have taken significant charges – and even more cancellations - on their US offshore wind plans.
Ed finds further headwinds across the Atlantic, where BP looks to be cooling on the next phase of its Greater Tortue Ahmeyim LNG development. Is it supply chain woes or a bigger question around future LNG demand?
And Ryan keeps this week grounded - much like a growing number of S-92 helicopters, where problems with access to components maintenance backlog have prompted an unusually direct warning from the international operator community.
About Energy Voice
Energy Voice investigates and reports on what matters in global energy, helping sector leaders understand the geopolitical and economic factors underpinning current events, and giving them a view on what’s coming over the horizon. Each year, 3.4m professionals use Energy Voice as a trusted source of breaking news and insight.
For more information on how you can speak to those professionals across multiple platforms to build your brand and generate actionable business leads, visit energyvoice.com/content-services.
For a 30 day free trial subscription to the Energy Voice website and app, visit energyvoice.com/subscribe.

EVOL: The fuel of the future, and it always will be

It’s an all-hydrogen special this week with the EVOL team digging through the ups and downs of quite how the fuel will play a part in the energy transition.
Shell has cut back its hydrogen plans, citing a sharper focus on profits. The company is shedding around 200 jobs in the low-carbon solutions business, Andy explains, highlighting some of the hydrogen challenges in particular.
Ryan spent his Thursday at a conference on hydrogen in Aberdeen. While there was some positive news of support from the government for the NZTC, the overall picture remains confused about the UK’s hydrogen future.
The UK appears to have lost some of its early lead on hydrogen, while the US and European Union appear much more committed. ITM Power opened an office in Germany this week, shortly after launching in the US.
It’s clear costs will need to come down for hydrogen, both in terms of production and transportation. ACWA Power set out an ambitious plan to liquefy hydrogen and export to the Port of Amsterdam, drawing some incredulity from one member of the EVOL team but to reach our net zero goals, the industry is going to need to try some big swings. 
About Energy Voice
Energy Voice investigates and reports on what matters in global energy, helping sector leaders understand the geopolitical and economic factors underpinning current events, and giving them a view on what’s coming over the horizon. Each year, 3.4m professionals use Energy Voice as a trusted source of breaking news and insight.
For more information on how you can speak to those professionals across multiple platforms to build your brand and generate actionable business leads, visit energyvoice.com/content-services.
For a 30 day free trial subscription to the Energy Voice website and app, visit energyvoice.com/subscribe.

EVOL: Oily money, Seagreen success and ship-shape wind turbines

Climate activists made headlines this week after a blockade of the Energy Intelligence Forum in London, involving none other than Greta Thunberg. Somewhat trapped at the scene, Ed Reed reports his findings from one of the liveliest conferences in recent years.
 
In a big week for SSE Renewables and TotalEnergies, the more than 1GW Seagreen offshore wind project is now fully operational, taking its place as Scotland’s largest and the world’s deepest fixed-bottom project. Ryan reports on what completion means for the wider sector.
 
And Andrew recounts a conversation with marine legal specialist Ed Watt of Addleshaw Goddard, who explained why the floating wind turbines seen off the Aberdeenshire coast are in fact ships – and why more floating projects may have to follow suit.

Bridges and Bottlenecks 02: Grids and Storage

In the second episode of Bridges and Bottlenecks, the podcast series by Energy Voice Out Loud in partnership with DNV, we tackle arguably the biggest talking point in the energy transition, grid connection and storage.
Joining Energy Voice's Print Features Lead, Ryan Duff, is Michael Dodd, DNV's Director, Market Area Manager, UK & Ireland, and Julian Leslie, Head of Networks for National Grid ESO.
In this episode, the trio addresses the challenges facing the grid as the UK transitions to net zero and highlight the opportunities storage can bring.
About Energy Voice
Energy Voice investigates and reports on what matters in global energy, helping sector leaders understand the geopolitical and economic factors underpinning current events, and giving them a view on what’s coming over the horizon. Each year, 3.4m professionals use Energy Voice as a trusted source of breaking news and insight.
For more information on how you can speak to those professionals across multiple platforms to build your brand and generate actionable business leads, visit energyvoice.com/content-services.
For a 30 day free trial subscription to the Energy Voice website and app, visit energyvoice.com/subscribe.

EVOL:Gas supplies, the methanol option and M&A

Terrible news this week from the Middle East, with a Hamas terrorist attack throwing Israel into disarray. One outcome of this was a decision to restrict exports, coinciding with potential sabotage on the Balticconnector, adding up to more pressure on the European gas market.
Allister, meanwhile, has spent the week digging into methanol as a fuel for North Sea platforms. The fuel seems like an attractive option, but shortcomings on supply have prevented growth – as yet.
And finally, the team take on the outlook for M&A in the services sector. While the offshore wind sector is under pressure as a result of profit challenges, the positive longer-term outlook should drive deals. 
 
About Energy Voice
Energy Voice investigates and reports on what matters in global energy, helping sector leaders understand the geopolitical and economic factors underpinning current events, and giving them a view on what’s coming over the horizon. Each year, 3.4m professionals use Energy Voice as a trusted source of breaking news and insight.
For more information on how you can speak to those professionals across multiple platforms to build your brand and generate actionable business leads, visit energyvoice.com/content-services.
For a 30 day free trial subscription to the Energy Voice website and app, visit energyvoice.com/subscribe.

EVOL: Electrification concerns, standardisation hopes and acquisition opportunities.

Electrification has been a talking point in the industry for some time and with stumbling blocks becoming apparent for cutting offshore emissions the North Sea Transition Authority says there are “concerns targets will be missed without further action.”
 
Andre Dykes dives into the topic and talks us through the ramifications being set for high carbon emission-producing North Sea assets. Could this spell the end for older assets that will find it harder to decarbonise or will the investment be delivered to keep aging projects running?
 
Ryan Duff has been at the Floating Offshore Wind Conference in Aberdeen this week where there was one stand-out talking point, standardisation. The Energy Voice team discuss the floating wind sector and whether it is too early to standardise designs, that being said Sian Lloyd Rees pointed out at the conference that North Sea rigs settled on semi-submersible and jack-up designs just a couple of years after oil production kicked off in the region.
 
Last but not least, Allister Thomas dives into the world of mergers and acquisitions in North Sea oil and gas. The trio discuss the plethora of options for picking up stakes in assets in the region as Allister talks through the news that North Sea operator IOG will be placed into administration.
About Energy Voice
Energy Voice investigates and reports on what matters in global energy, helping sector leaders understand the geopolitical and economic factors underpinning current events, and giving them a view on what’s coming over the horizon. Each year, 3.4m professionals use Energy Voice as a trusted source of breaking news and insight.
For more information on how you can speak to those professionals across multiple platforms to build your brand and generate actionable business leads, visit energyvoice.com/content-services.
For a 30 day free trial subscription to the Energy Voice website and app, visit energyvoice.com/subscribe.

Road to ADIPEC: Energy transition and gases

To be in with a chance of tackling climate change, the industry must take steps to reduce emissions.
In the near term this is going to be around using methane more responsibly, Mark Brownstein, vice president at the Energy Defense Fund, says on this episode of Road to ADIPEC.
In the longer term, though, the pressure will be on hydrogen. The industry faces a tougher task in tackling hydrogen leaks – the molecules are that much harder to contain – but reducing the carbon intensity of energy is crucial. 
 
 

EVOL Breaking news: Rosebank

The North Sea Transition Authority signed off on the ever-controversial Rosebank oil field this week and lit a tinderbox of political and environmental debate.
Energy Voice’s Allister Thomas, Andrew Dykes and Ryan Duff dived into Rosebank talking points in a special “breaking news” edition of the Energy Voice Out Loud podcast – with electrification, emissions, exports and outrage all on the agenda.
 
About Energy Voice
Energy Voice investigates and reports on what matters in global energy, helping sector leaders understand the geopolitical and economic factors underpinning current events, and giving them a view on what’s coming over the horizon. Each year, 3.4m professionals use Energy Voice as a trusted source of breaking news and insight.
For more information on how you can speak to those professionals across multiple platforms to build your brand and generate actionable business leads, visit energyvoice.com/content-services.
For a 30 day free trial subscription to the Energy Voice website and app, visit energyvoice.com/subscribe.