During the period from July 4th to 11th, 2025, the following international news occurred:
1. US LNG on the move as Coastal Bend LNG begins Texas facility
US. private energy firm Coastal Bend LNG has commenced construction of its Gulf Coast export facility in Texas, featuring 5 production lines with a combined capacity of 22.5 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) and integrated carbon capture technology to reduce carbon emissions intensity. The project plans to submit federal permitting applications in 2025 with government-backed accelerated approval. Concurrently, Cheniere Energy’s expansion project entered construction and Sempra Infrastructure's project obtained export licenses, highlighting the expansion trend of the U.S. LNG industry.
2. West-to-East Gas Pipeline Four fully connected and put into operation
The West-to-East Gas Pipeline Four (Turpan-Zhongwei section), a key project of the national "14th Five-Year Plan", was fully completed and put into operation, with a total length of 1,745 kilometers, accounting for more than half of the total length of Pipeline Four. With this, China's natural gas primary pipeline transmission capacity exceeded 400 billion cubic meters. As a strategic corridor connecting Central Asia, this section has an annual gas transmission capacity of 15 billion cubic meters, which can replace 27 million tons of standard coal and reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by 50 million tons. After the entire line is put into operation, it will operate in conjunction with Pipelines Two and Three, improving the northwest energy corridor, enhancing gas supply reliability, optimizing the regional energy structure, promoting economic development along the route, and adopting green construction to protect the ecology.
3. Insight: Behind the scenes at LNG Canada
The first shipment of LNG from Canada's export project has departed from Kitimat Port bound for Asia. This joint venture—led by Shell (with 40% stake), Petronas, PetroChina, etc., with an annual production capacity of 14 million tons. It transports natural gas via a 670-kilometer pipeline for liquefaction. The project employed modular construction techniques and innovative gas turbine and closed-loop water cooling systems, though its costs have drawn scrutiny from think tanks. Shell asserts it marks a new era for Canadian energy exports.
4. AGA Applauds Trump Administration NEPA Reforms, Calls for Congressional Action on Permitting
The American Gas Association (AGA) has endorsed the Trump Administration's streamlining of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review process, stating it restores NEPA's original purpose of informing decisions rather than obstructing critical important infrastructure projects. The Association urges Congress to advance additional permitting reforms to facilitate natural gas infrastructure expansion, ensuring U.S. energy security and economic competitiveness. AGA emphasizes that abundant natural gas resources serve as a cornerstone of America's economic stability and energy independence, with the industry committed to delivering safe, affordable energy.
5. EBRD and EU finance renovation of Sarajevo water supply network
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Union are jointly funding the renovation project of Sarajevo's water supply network. The EBRD is providing a €25 million loan, with the third tranche of €5 million already disbursed, while the EU has added an investment grant of €3.8 million. The project will upgrade 1,119 kilometers of aging pipelines, addressing the current 70% water leakage rate and benefiting 4,000 newly connected households. This initiative is part of the EBRD's "Green Cities" program, which has implemented six environmental sub-projects since its launch in 2017. An EU representative emphasized that this effort demonstrates the EU's commitment to improving living standards in Bosnia and Herzegovina and supporting its EU accession process.