Germany halted the certification process for the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline following President Putin’s decision to send troops to two self-proclaimed separatist republics
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📈 European gas prices rose after the move, and are currently up 8%
BACKGROUND: The certification process of the pipeline, which links Russia to Germany bypassing Ukraine, has been on hold since the end of last year as the operator tries to comply with European Union rules as requested by the German energy regulator
The decision to put it into limbo demonstrates Germany’s determination to shoulder the economic cost of holding Putin to account for his actions
European natural gas prices surge 41% (!) after Russian forces attacked targets across Ukraine 📈
⚠️ Supply disruption feared after the West vowed further sanctions
💸 Dutch TTF jumped to 125 euros/MWh (nearly $40/mmbtu), the highest level in 2 months
Around a third of Russia’s gas to Europe typically flows via Ukraine, and analysts have said any escalation of the conflict may disrupt those flows.
“In the event of prolonged disruption, gas inventory couldn’t be rebuilt through the summer,” Woodmac's Filippenko said
Ukrainian state company Naftogaz says all the facilities of its gas transportation system are operating as usual so far and that natural gas is being supplied in the required amounts
🚨 Brent oil surged to $100 a barrel for the first time since 2014 as Russia’s dramatic escalation of the Ukraine crisis sparked fears of a supply disruption
🇷🇺 Russia is a key supplier of oil & gas to the world
📈 Oil has rallied 50% in the last year
📈 WTI crude oil futures climbed more than 3% from Friday, after not closing Monday due to the US holiday, to $94 a barrel
📈 Gold touched an eight-month high
An LNG supply deficit is expected to emerge in the mid-2020s as demand outstrips supply, according to Shell's annual outlook released today 🚢🚨
⚠️ LNG supply gap to start earlier than forecast last year (See 2022 report vs 2021)
💰 More investment needed to boost supply: Shell
European and Asian natural gas prices surged to a record high last year due in part to a lack of supply
Global LNG demand will roughly double by 2040, Shell forecasts
📈 Global LNG demand is expected to cross 700 million tons a year by 2040, compared to 380 million tons in 2021
📈 Asia is slated to consume the majority of this growth
But that may not last long. Oil could be set for a “prolonged period” above $100 a barrel this year, with world demand poised to expand to a record, Vitol Group Chief Executive Officer Russell Hardy told Bloomberg TV