During the period from July 19th to 25th, 2025, the following international news occurred:
1. Bolivia's Natural Gas Production Declines Yearly
According to a report by Bolivia's La Razón on July 9, the Bolivian Chamber of Hydrocarbons and Energy (CBHE) stated that the country's daily natural gas production has dropped from 60 million cubic meters in 2014 to 29 million cubic meters, with an annual decline rate of 10%. Production is expected to meet only domestic demand within 2-3 years, severely impacting export revenue and the sustainable development of the energy industry. The CBHE has called on Congress to expedite amendments to Law No. 767 as soon as possible to attract private investment and revive oil and gas exploration, reversing the decline in natural gas production. The bill is currently under review.
2. China's Southwest Oil & Gas Field Exceeds Gas Production Target by 125 Million Cubic Meters
In the first half of 2025, China's Southwest Oil & Gas Field achieved a 12.97% year-on-year increase in natural gas production, surpassing the target by 125 million cubic meters—a record high for the same period in history. The company commissioned 231 new wells and added 5.77 billion cubic meters of new production capacity, with notable progress in tight gas and shale gas development. Optimized production processes and pipeline network coordination boosted output by 175 million cubic meters during maintenance, and the volume of gas uploaded to the national pipeline network increased by 60% year-on-year, laying the foundation for the "50 billion cubic meters" production capacity target.
3. Air Liquide to invest $50m in US semiconductor gas plant
French industrial gas giant Air Liquide will invest over $50 million to build a specialty gas plant for semiconductors in the southeastern U.S., with operations expected by late 2027. The facility will produce high-purity nitrogen and oxygen for chip manufacturing, supporting the U.S. semiconductor industry. The U.S. government aims to produce 30% of global chips domestically by 2032, and this project is one of the important supporting measures.
4. Venture Global signs 20-year LNG SPA with Eni
Italy's Eni has signed a 20-year LNG sale and purchase agreement (SPA) with U.S.-based Venture Global, securing 2 million tons annually—Eni's first long-term deal with a U.S. LNG producer. The agreement sources supply from Venture Global's third project, CP2, bringing total contracted capacity to 43.5 million tons/year. Venture Global has already delivered nearly 40 LNG cargoes to Italy and plans to invest $18 billion to expand its Plaquemines project in Louisiana to 45 million tons/year.
5. Barossa gas-to-LNG project is 97% complete, first production expected in 2025-Q3
Santos announced that the Barossa gas-to-LNG project is 97% complete, with its first production anticipated in Q3 2025. The project will provide gas supply supplement for the Darwin LNG plant for up to 20 years. The FPSO vessel is now in position and connected to subsea infrastructure, with pipeline testing finalized. Darwin LNG's refurbishment is 93% complete and preparing for the first batch of natural gas. Santos stated the project will significantly boost its LNG output capacity to meet demand.
6. Portsmouth Water awards Cappagh AMP8 Infrastructure and Smart Water Meter installation contracts
Portsmouth Water has awarded two AMP8 cycle (2025-2030) contracts to the Cappagh Group, with a total value of £136.5 million. The projects include installing 170,000 smart water meters (achieving full coverage by 2033) and upgrading pipeline networks to enhance leakage control capabilities and enable digital water management for customers. Through co-located collaboration, both parties will address water supply challenges posed by climate change and population growth to ensure water supply sustainability.
7. France's largest treated wastewater reuse project begins in Argelès-sur-Mer
Argelès-sur-Mer has initiated France's largest wastewater reuse project, with an annual treatment capacity of 1.3 million cubic meters (equivalent to five months of local drinking water demand). Veolia will install ultrafiltration systems to produce Class A reclaimed water for drip-irrigating 700 hectares of orchards, reducing groundwater and potable water consumption. Supported by France's Water Fund, the project is slated for operation by April 2026 and will significantly alleviate water stress in the Eastern Pyrenees region.