Medco Energi’s New Oil Find Strengthens Indonesia’s Production Outlook

 Medco Energi, Indonesia’s leading independent energy company, has announced a significant oil discovery after completing drilling at its Senoro-3 wildcat well in the Senoro-Toili Block offshore Sulawesi.

The well encountered high-quality oil-bearing sands in an underexplored reservoir horizon, producing higher-than-expected flow rates during initial testing. This discovery is particularly important as Indonesia struggles to reverse its declining crude output, which has fallen steadily since peaking in the 1990s.

The new discovery sits within tie-back range of Medco’s existing Senoro gas infrastructure, which was originally developed for LNG exports. While Senoro is best known for its gas reserves, this oil find enhances the field’s value, enabling dual production streams.

Medco has already begun fast-track development planning, aiming to bring first oil online by late 2026. The discovery could also de-risk nearby exploration prospects, supporting future drilling campaigns in the block.

Posted on 3/06/2025 / 0 comments / Read More

New Fortress’ Floating LNG Plant Outperforms Expectations in Early Operations

 

(Photo Source: newfortressenergy.com)

New Fortress Energy has confirmed that its pioneering Fast LNG 1 facility, a modular floating liquefaction plant installed off Louisiana, is already producing above its design capacity in early operations.

Mounted on a converted jack-up rig, Fast LNG 1 is the first in a series of modular offshore LNG units designed to provide flexible export capacity for smaller stranded gas fields and existing pipelines. This flexibility reduces capital costs compared to traditional onshore LNG plants, allowing faster payback.

The first cargoes from Fast LNG 1 have already been shipped to Europe and Asia, where demand for flexible spot LNG remains strong. The success of this unit strengthens New Fortress’ position as a disruptor in the LNG supply chain, with Fast LNG 2 and 3 expected to follow later this year.

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TotalEnergies Completes Key Milestone with Taiwan Offshore Wind Farm

 TotalEnergies has officially completed the Hai Long Offshore Wind Project, a 1.2 GW development off the coast of Taiwan, solidifying its position as a major player in Asia’s renewable energy transition.

The project, developed in partnership with Yushan Energy, combines fixed-bottom turbines and a floating demonstration platform, making it one of the most technologically diverse offshore wind farms in the region.

Despite challenging seabed conditions and typhoon risks, TotalEnergies applied its offshore engineering expertise — developed from decades of FPSO and deepwater oil projects — to successfully install all turbines on schedule.

The wind farm is expected to generate enough clean electricity to power 600,000 households, contributing directly to Taiwan’s goal of phasing out coal power by 2035.

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NYK Signs Historic Deal for Heavy Cargo Ships at Chinese Shipyard

(Photo Source: nbpc.co.jp)

 Japanese shipping major NYK Bulk & Projects Carriers has signed a landmark contract with China’s Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co. for up to four new 33,000 dwt deck carriers. This marks the first time NYK Bulk has ordered vessels directly from Dalian Shipbuilding.

The vessels are purpose-built for transporting large, heavy, and oversized cargo, such as offshore wind farm components and industrial plant modules — aligning with growing demand for project cargo capacity driven by the global energy transition.

The ships will be dual-fuel ready, capable of running on methanol or ammonia, in line with NYK Group’s decarbonization roadmap. First delivery is expected in early 2027, with optional vessels delivering through 2028 if exercised.

By choosing Dalian, NYK Bulk gains competitive pricing and faster delivery, though the deal underscores Japan’s growing dependence on Chinese shipbuilding capacity, even as the Japanese government tries to revive its own shipyard sector.

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Trump Prepares Bold Action to Rebuild US Shipyards and Counter China

The Trump administration is preparing to issue a sweeping executive order designed to rebuild the United States’ struggling shipbuilding sector, with a focus on countering China’s near-monopoly in global ship production. The order, which could be signed as early as next week, outlines several major policy changes targeting both military and commercial shipbuilding.

Under the plan, Chinese-built vessels calling at U.S. ports would face new fees, especially those operating in domestic shipping trades governed by the Jones Act. Furthermore, port cranes and cargo handling equipment sourced from Chinese manufacturers would also be subject to tariffs and operational surcharges.

To encourage domestic shipbuilding, the order creates a White House Office of Shipbuilding, which will act as a central policy hub to coordinate between the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, the Maritime Administration (MARAD), and commercial shipowners. This office will also oversee new subsidies, tax credits, and direct investment programs aimed at modernizing outdated shipyards and attracting new orders.

The plan establishes a Maritime Security Trust Fund, which will channel federal funding into U.S. yards to enhance construction capabilities for both commercial vessels (like container ships and LNG carriers) and naval auxiliary vessels. This initiative fits into Trump’s broader America First industrial strategy, directly tying maritime security to economic policy.

Industry reactions have been mixed — U.S. yards and unions welcomed the support, while importers worry about higher shipping costs if fewer lower-cost Chinese ships are allowed into U.S. trades.

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