Ron Nissimov started writing for NGI in June 2020, after covering the North American LNG market for 15 years and closely witnessing its incredible transformation from importing to exporting. He worked for seven years at Argus Media and prior to that for eight years at Platts LNG Daily. Before writing about LNG, Ron was a newspaper reporter for 12 years, including nine years at the Houston Chronicle, where he covered city hall, higher education, civil courts and general assignments. He earned a master’s degree in journalism from the University of California, Berkeley, and a bachelor’s degree in studio art, specializing in photography, from Stanford University.
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Articles from Ron Nissimov
Increased U.S. LNG Exports to Asia Said Driving Up Spot Charter Rates
Increased U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to Asia this winter have driven LNG vessel spot charter rates to two-year highs of $130,000/day, according to an analyst at shipbroker Poten & Partners. “It is clear that the U.S. is the swing supplier for the LNG market,” said Poten’s Jefferson Clarke, head of LNG shipping analytics,…
December 18, 2020
U.S. LNG Developers Eye More FIDs in 2021 as Pandemic Recedes, Demand Rises
U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) developers are anticipating that 2021 will be much different than 2020. Covid-19 and uncertain long-term economics dashed the plans for a number of U.S. gas export projects to make a positive final investment decision (FID) this year. Most of those projects pushed their planned FID dates into 2021, with the…
December 17, 2020
Texas LNG Bunkering Project Starts Waterway Assessment Process with Coast Guard
A plan to build the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering terminal along the U.S. Gulf Coast is progressing through the permitting process by initiating a water suitability assessment with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). Pilot LNG LLC’s proposed Galveston LNG Bunker Port (GLBP) project would comprise an LNG production vessel that would be permanently…
December 16, 2020
China Buying More U.S. LNG to Meet Winter Demand, but Still Far Below Phase One Targets
U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to China have ramped up this year but remain far below the levels specified in a phase one trade deal signed in January by the two countries to try to improve trade relations. Since U.S. LNG exports to China resumed in March after a hiatus of more than one…
December 15, 2020
Shell Charters Four New Low-Emission LNG Vessels for Delivery Starting Mid-2024
Royal Dutch Shell plc, the world’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) trader, has chartered four newbuild, low-emission LNG tankers to be delivered beginning in mid-2024. “These ships will play a key role in lowering emissions from the Shell time charter fleet,” said Head of Shell Shipping & Maritime Grahaeme Henderson. “As well as reducing emissions…
December 15, 2020
Significant U.S. LNG Cargo Cancellations Not Likely in 2021, BofA Analysts Say
Asian liquefied natural gas (LNG) spot prices are at two-year highs and are projected to remain strong enough next summer to prevent significant cancellations of U.S. LNG cargoes in 2021, BofA Global Research analysts said. Projected U.S. LNG export arbitrages for next summer are now positive, in the range of $0.75-$1.00/MMBtu, the analysts said in…
December 14, 2020
Northeast Sees Stronger Growth in Natural Gas-Fired Generation, Says EIA
Natural gas-fired generation has increased in most U.S. regions since 2015, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) said Friday. Annual gas-fired generation increased by 31% in the Northeast from 2015 to 2019, by 20% in the Central region and by 17% in the South, EIA said. Gas-fired generation in the West remained relatively flat in that…
December 6, 2020
No Significant Impact Expected as DOE Prepares to End LNG Project Reviews
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) plans to stop conducting environmental reviews of liquefied natural gas (LNG) export and import projects beginning in early January. The notice was published Thursday in the Federal Register. The decision is not expected to significantly reduce regulatory hurdles for LNG projects. They still would require extensive FERC environmental reviews…
December 3, 2020
In Wake of Mexico LNG Approval, Sempra to Unify Subsidiaries
Sempra Energy on Wednesday unveiled a plan to unify its U.S. and Mexico subsidiaries that own liquefied natural gas (LNG) assets. The move to combine Sempra LNG and Mexican firm Infraestructura Energética Nova (IEnova) comes after the San Diego-based operator last month funded construction of the $2 billion Energia Costa Azul (ECA) LNG export terminal,…
December 3, 2020
Sempra to Unify U.S., Mexican LNG Subsidiaries
Sempra Energy on Wednesday unveiled a plan to unify its U.S. and Mexico subsidiaries that own liquefied natural gas (LNG) assets. The move to combine Sempra LNG and Mexican firm Infraestructura Energética Nova (IEnova) comes after the San Diego-based operator last month funded construction of the $2 billion Energia Costa Azul (ECA) LNG export terminal,…
December 2, 2020