In part 2 we explained the potential of more local production & illustrated the need for policy corrections such as building German LNG regasification terminals.
Today, he annouced the start of the construction of 2 regasification terminals for a total capacity of 10bcm, completed within 10 months - a most remarkable outcome if achieved by @BMWK.
Many imbalances remain for the gas to go where it is needed within the EU pipe system.
This is best illustrated with the current divergence of TTF (Netherland Price Hub) versus NBP (UK Price).
At the time of this writing the 2 prices had a $11/MMBtu ($66/boe) difference!
5/n
Looking at the Futures curve of both, the price divergence seems to point towards a "temporary indigestion" of logistical issues as prices converge again in July.
But for some weeks NBP signals that it cannot take on more LNG while gas cannot be exported into EU storages.
6/n
So why can gas not be delivered into the EU?
To explain that, let us first attach the relevant pipeline map of the UK and its interconnectors with the continent and Norwegian gas fields.
Today, mainly the "Interconnector" from Bacton to Zeebrugge in Belgium matters.
7/n
Let's now check UK gas flow balances.
In April the UK exported 2bcm (great) to Zeebrugge but in reality had export capacity for 3.6bcm.
It imported 3.6bcm LNG, 2bcm from Norway & produced 3.2bcm against 4.7bcm demand.
8/n Thx Alex, amazing info for free!
So what is the problem?
The problem is that EU logistics (Belgium, Netherlands or Germany) likely couldn't take in enough gas b/c of some "filter problem".
That led to a temp backlog throughout the system while the UK barely has any storage capacity left!
9/n
In fact, much gas the UK needs in the winter is stored in Germany's massive salt cavities and according to Wood MacKenzie, a consultant.
Most remarkable!
10/n
Russian gas independence aside, the UK is a major gas consumer. Saving on gas storage (yes, it is bad business) is penny wise, pound foolish!
Take March 1st 2018 when the beast of the east (a cold wind) caused NBP to spike to 350p/th as more demand could not be delivered.
11/n
There are storage projects.
But they need to be FID'd or - perhaps - Government sponsored if they cannot meet return requirements the industry needs to justify the upfront investment.
More UK storage will avoid winter price spikes for British consumers (especially once the EU gas crisis is over) and will allow for an even higher capacity utilisation of its local LNG infrastructure. Straightforward!
Diesel - the work horse fuel of the modern economy - is mooning as we are short everything.
More precisely, wholesale Diesel prices in the US are up >100% since January 1st while crude oil prices are "only" up 38%.
1/n 🧵
Step by step. What does it mean to pay $5.35 per gallon in barrels last Thursday?
A barrel contains 42 gallons, so that $224/barrel. Canada was even worse while Cuba tries to keep its regime going (by subsidising prices at the pump).
2/n
Don't feel bad if you are based in North America because Diesel prices in Europe are even worse due to higher taxes.
Take Germany - the land of diesel cars & no speed limit. Here people pay US$2.2/liter or the equivalent of $344 per barrel. How about that for cheap energy?
In part I we explained that Europe must replace 150bcm of Russian gas imports to help support the end of the Russian genocide in Ukraine.
It will also be the recipe to reduce the current risk-premium in gas prices & avoid long-lasting food shortages or a refugee crisis.
2/n
We explained that...
- (1) higher LNG imports from optimised infra & capacity utilisation can deliver up to 90bcm or 62% of 150bcm if free market prices can continue to "pull" LNG into Europe;
- (2) one-off storage potential of up to 25bcm (one winter) to buy some time...
Basics first: How much gas does Europe need to replace (not just the EU, UK et al too)?
Answer: Europe purchased 150 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas from Russia, imported from 3 pipelines & 15bcm in the form of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) by sea.
2/n Source: Burggraben
Why is it important to cut Russian gas?
Because it finances Putin's genocide in Ukraine which in turn pushes gas prices up. That destroys businesses and - for heaven's sake - creates food shortages with a subsequent refugees crisis.
What do farmers need to to maximise crop yields of wheat, corn or soybeans?
Answer: they need 3 fertilisers, namely Nitrogen (ammonia), Phosphorus & Potassium. The mix varies by region but the world cannot be fed without the three.
More observations on EU/US sanctions on Russia & possible implications on logistics disruption.
In April, India bought Russia crude for frist time ever. It bought 15mb in April according to news, altough we yet only measure 9mb as at 17 April 2022 through @Kayrros.
1/4
How much crude needs to be diverted to Asia if self-sanctioning (or EU ban) bites? At least 2.9mbpd of Russian Urals in EU (1.6-1.8mbpd seaborne; 1.3mbpd Druzhba pipeline system into the EU) need to be diverted. So far, seaborne loadings increased in March! Time will tell.
2/4
What does it mean to divert 1.8mbpd seaborne Urals away from Europe & into Asia? According to our calculation, it would increase ton-miles by a factor of 6 (!) & voyage time by a factor of 5 (!). In other words, Russian crude voyages will jump from 15 to 75 days on average.
Dollar Wrecking Ball - Brazil exports 55% of global #soybeans (mainly to China). Issue: US export 35% which seems to set international prices. That turns soybeans farming in Brazil into poor business at current potash prices ($1250/Mt) b/c of BRL-FX rate.
Same for corn. BRL exports 21% of total, ARG 20%, US 32% while setting prices. LatAm farmers need fertiliser subsidies or use less which would reduce yields & worsen ongoing food crisis. What do I miss? Stocks? Labour cannot move dial. Below BRL, worse for ARS.