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Oil & Gas

BGC marks 21 years of delivering Brunei LNG

9 March 2019

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Brunei Darussalam

BRUNEI Gas Carriers Sdn Bhd (BGC) was established in 1998 as a joint venture between the Brunei government, Shell Gas BV and Diamond Gas Carriers BV. This year, BGC celebrates its 21st anniversary. BGC has been and continues to be a vital force in contributing to the nation’s wealth, with liquefied natural gas (LNG) as one of Brunei’s major exports.

BGC currently owns five A-Class vessels: MV Abadi, MV Arkat, MV Amali, MV Amani and MV Amadi. Their capacities range from 137,000m3 to 154,800m3. The vessels are managed by Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Limited (STASCO). Throughout the voyages, BGC has achieved numerous awards for its operations. In June 2018, BGC bid farewell to the last two B-Class vessels, SS Bebatik and SS Belanak, owned by Brunei Shell Tankers Sdn Bhd.

The company delivers Brunei LNG’s products to its clients in the Asia-Pacific region including Japan, Malaysia, and Taiwan. BGC began delivering LNG cargoes to Japan and South Korea in 2002 and 2011 respectively. In 2014, BGC achieved the internationally recognised ISO9001:2008 Quality Management System Certification.

To support local talent growth and strengthen their workforce, BGC began operating its own Fleet Management Department in 2011. All operational aspects within Brunei’s LNG fleet are managed by STASCO and local BGC staff. This arrangement allows transfer of knowledge and prepares BGC to establish itself as a competent and reliable ship owner and manager.

Safety is BGC’s top priority. In 2018, BGC’s fleet surpassed 16.7 million-man hours without any lost time injury (LTI) and 1.4 million-man hours without any total recordable cases (TRC). The company’s safety record proves “Goal Zero” is achievable. BGC ensures everyone goes home safely to their families and loved ones.

Locals make up the majority of BGC’s workforce

BGC currently owns five A-Class vessels: MV Abadi, MV Arkat, MV Amali, MV Amani and MV Amadi. – PHOTOS: BGC

As part of BGC’s Bruneianisation Programme, the company seeks to employ and develop local talents in the maritime industry. Locals make up the majority of BGC’s workforce.

From cadet level to senior management, their staff are trained according to international standards to excel in the global arena. In 2013, BGC welcomed their first local captain and two chief engineers. BGC currently employs three local captains and six chief engineers, setting the benchmark for Bruneian seafarers. Apart from developing Bruneians’ leadership skills, BGC ensures their staff are updated with the development and latest practices in the maritime industry.

Youth are the nation’s future leaders. In collaboration with the Ministry of Energy, Manpower and Industry (MEMI), BGC supports young Bruneian entrepreneurs to start and grow their own businesses through the i-Usahawan programme. With this initiative, participants propose innovative ideas, build their confidence in tendering, enabling them to eventually bid for larger projects in the future. The i-Usahawan programme is part of BGC’s social investment strategy to help grow Brunei’s economy by penetrating the regional and international markets.

Looking ahead, BGC aims to complete its ship management transition to become a fully fledged ship manager in its own right by 2020.

Others

Sustainability giants come together for a greener PH

9 March 2019

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Philippines

As companies all over the world aspire to do their share in maintaining global ecological balance, sustainability has become not just a cool buzzword for advocates but a requirement in almost everything they do. In real estate, sustainability is fast becoming a design requirement as much as aesthetics or security. From energy efficient building materials right up to designing buildings with rainwater collecting features, green building advocates are developing solutions to reduce pressure on the planet. ArthaLand Corp., the leading boutique developer in the country, and First Gen Corp., the Philippines’ pioneer and leader in the natural gas industry, are two such green building advocates. The two companies have come together to boost sustainability in real estate and energy through projects that support the environment.

ArthaLand and First Gen’s first project together is the premium-grade office development, ArthaLand Century Pacific Tower in BGC which, during its construction, was already the recipient of the Best Green Development and Highly Commended in the Best Office Architectural Design categories of the Philippines Property Awards. It has received both Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design platinum rating and recently the Building for Ecologically Responsive Design Excellence 5-star certification, the highest and most prestigious categories in both green building rating standards. The multi-awarded corporate building uses 100 percent clean and renewable energy through a hydroelectric power plant source supplied by First Gen coming from their Pantabangan-Masiway Hydroelectric Plant located in Nueva Ecija. This makes ACPT non-reliant on coal-based energy sources. First Gen is the leading clean energy company in the Philippines and is also the only power generating company of its size that does not have coal power in its portfolio. Their investments span from natural gas, geothermal, hydroelectric, wind, to solar power.

“One of the core principles that guide our business is that progress doesn’t need to come at the expense of our health, the environment, and the future of the next generations,” First Gen chairman Federico Lopez, says. “By partnering with an organization that embodies the same principles is a big step in making sustainability a way of life for every business,” Lopez says. ArthaLand has been known to build structures that adhere to global and national standards in green buildings. Their first project, Arya Residences, is the first and only residential building in the country to receive a LEED gold certification from the US Green Building Council and also the first and only residential project to be given BERDE 4-star certification by the Philippine Green Building Council. “Sustainability has become more than just a corporate social responsibility concept for us. It has become a mission to leave a blueprint of future-proofing in every premium-grade structure that we build,” says ArthaLand treasurer and executive vice president Leo Po. “Part of this mission is to use clean and renewable energy and reduce our environmental footprint,” Po adds. “Our partnership with First Gen is truly a perfect match because we share the same values and the same commitment to the preservation of the environment,” Po says. “We are truly proud of ACPT, not only because it is a solid, premium-grade building, but because of how it can be a true role model for future office developments in the country.”

Renewables

VN’s biggest renewable energy project to go operational in Apri

9 March 2019

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Vietnam

General Director of Trung Nam Group Nguyen Tam Tien said the 246-hectare solar and wind power complex would supply 401 million kWh each year for the provincial and national energy grid, and earn annual revenue of US$71 million from power sales.

Tien said the plants would employ 2,000 local workers starting from the end of April.

He said the Trung Nam Solar Power Company, a member of the Trung Nam Group, had invested nearly VND5 trillion ($222.2 million) in the first large-scale solar and wind energy hybrid project in coastal Thuan Bac District.

The project, on which construction began last year, has installed 705,000 solar panels and 45 large wind turbines, each 76m tall.

Last year, Trung Nam and the Electric Power Trading Company under Electricity of Viet Nam (EVN) signed a power purchase agreement from the renewable energy complex at a price of VND2,086 (9.35 cents) per kWh.

Trung Nam also started construction of a 165MW solar power plant in the southern province of Tra Vinh in January. — VNS

Renewables

Deputy PM attends inauguration of solar power plant cluster in Dak Lak

9 March 2019

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Vietnam

Addressing the event, the deputy PM emphasised Dak Lak’s extremely important strategic position in terms of economic development, security and defence in the Central Highlands region.

The development of renewable energy is a trend of the world and Vietnam, especially Dak Lak province which possesses huge potential for solar power development, with an annual average solar irradiance of roughly 1,900 kW per square kilometres, he said.

In addition to the Srepek 1 and Quang Minh solar power plant cluster, the future inauguration of many other solar power projects in the province will contribute significantly to local socio-economic development and ensuring national energy security, Deputy PM Binh added.

He asked the investors and businesses, who are engaging in solar power development in Dak Lak and other localities, to implement the projects in line with sequence and procedures, operate the plants in accordance with the relevant processes, and especially pay attention to the issue of environmental protection during the process of handling and replacing batteries.

The official urged agencies and localities to continue creating favourable conditions for investors to explore and establish solar power projects, aiming to effectively tap into local potential and advantages, create jobs, improve the people’s income and contribute to socio-economic development.

The cluster of Srepek 1 and Quang Minh solar power plants has a combined capacity of 100MWP. It covers 120 hectares in Ea Wer commune, Buon Don district, with an investment capital of more than VND2.2 trillion (US$94.6 million).

The project started its construction work on October 19, 2018 and was put into commercial operations on January 31, 2019. It is currently the largest solar power plant project in Vietnam to have begun power generation.

Earlier, Deputy PM Truong Hoa Binh visited and presented gifts to Nong Thi Ham, a revolutionary veteran in village 7, Tan Hoa commune, Buon Don district.

Oil & Gas

Vietnam’s state energy companies gear up for LNG imports

9 March 2019

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Vietnam

HANOI/TOKYO — Vietnam’s Petrolimex has unveiled plans to open its first liquefied natural gas import terminal, following in the footsteps of fellow state-run energy group PetroVietnam, as the pair work to diversify energy supplies to fend off a chronic power shortage in the Southeast Asian country.

Oil & Gas

Oil import bill rises 31% in 2018

8 March 2019

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Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — Higher volume and import cost pushed the Philippine net oil import up by nearly a third last year.

The net import bill or the difference between oil imports and exports amounted to $12.12 billion in 2018, 30.9 percent higher than the year ago, data from the Department of Energy showed.

According to the DOE, the country’s total oil import bill reached $13.48 billion, a 31.8 percent jump from the previous year.

“This was attributed to the combined effects of higher import cost and increased import volume of crude oil vis-à-vis last year,” the DOE said.

Of the total imports, 54.5 percent consists of finished products and 45.5 percent crude oil.

The country imported 85,753 million barrels (MB) of crude oil last year, an increase of 10.4 percent.

In terms of cost, the 2018 figure amounted to $6.14 billion or 41.8 percent more than the year earlier due to higher cost insurance freight (CIF) price.

The average CIF price of crude oil was at $71.59 per barrel last year compared with $55.77 per barrels year ago.

Bulk of the imported crude oil, or 86.9 percent, was sourced from the Middle East.

Saudi Arabia was the top supplier, accounting for 33.7 percent, followed by Kuwait with 26.3 percent and the UAE with 20.9 percent.

The country also imported 7.4 percent from Russia and 4.5 percent from the ASEAN region.

Meanwhile, there was 0.1 percent of crude oil from local production.

In terms of petroleum products, the country imported a total of 97.57 MB.

The top imported product for the period was diesel oil, which declined by 3.3 percent. Fuel oil imports also decreased by 24.2 percent.

On the other hand, the import of gasoline went up by 10.7 percent, LPG by 9.4 percent, and kerosene/avturbo by 3.8 percent.

In terms of exports, the country’s petroleum exports earnings grew 40 percent to $1.36 million.

This as the country exported 17.04 MB of petroleum products exports, which rose 16.7 percent.

Read more at https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/03/08/1899540/oil-import-bill-rises-31-2018#aHb5xTwfhVGd6PDF.99

Electricity/Power Grid

Electricity bills higher this month — Meralco

8 March 2019

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Philippines

Meralco, which earlier reported a 4.6% rise in its customer base to 6.61 million, said the increase translates in an P18 rise in the total monthly bill of a typical household consuming 200 kWh. Those using 300 kWh, 400 kWh and 500 kWh can expect increases of P26.82, P35.76 and P44.70, respectively.

The increase in power rates this month comes despite the lower cost of electricity under power supply agreements (PSA), which brought down the generation charge. The decline failed to offset the higher electricity cost at the spot market and the rise in other charges, including transmission cost and government taxes.

“From P5.8939/kWh last month, generation charge for March went down to P5.5973/kWh, a decrease of P0.2966/kWh,” the country’s biggest distribution utility said.

It said the P1.0768/kWh decrease in PSA charges was because of the strengthening of the peso against the US dollar, lower fuel prices and higher average plant dispatch.

Meralco said unit one of the First Gen Corp.’s 414-megawatt San Gabriel power plant returned to normal operations in February after the scheduled maintenance outage in January.

“The share of PSAs to Meralco’s total requirement this month was at 48%,” the listed company said, referring to the February supply month whose charges are carried in March bills.

In contrast, charges from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) rose by P0.5178/kWh because of the tighter supply conditions in Luzon “with higher demand for power and more frequent plant outages this month,” Meralco said.

The cost of power from the independent power producers (IPPs) was higher by P0.0549/kWh due to the lower average plant dispatch. Quezon Power Philippines Ltd. was on scheduled maintenance outage from Jan. 18 to Feb. 8.

WESM and IPPs provided 12% and 40% of Meralco’s supply requirement, respectively.

Meanwhile, the transmission charge for residential customers rose by P0.0288/kWh after the higher ancillary service charge imposed by privately owned National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).

Taxes and other charges also went up by P0.3572 after the completion of the refund last month on the universal charge-stranded contract costs.

“Meralco’s distribution, supply, and metering charges, meanwhile, have remained unchanged for 44 months, after these registered reductions in July 2015,” the company said, reiterating that it does not earn from the pass-through charges, such as the generation and transmission charges.

Generation charge payments go to power suppliers, while payment for the transmission charge goes to NGCP. Taxes and other public policy charges like the universal charge and feed-in tariff allowance are remitted to the government.

Meralco’s controlling stakeholder, Beacon Electric Asset Holdings, Inc., is partly owned by PLDT, Inc. Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has interest in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — VVS

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Coal

EVNGENCO1 ensures coal supply for thermal power plants

8 March 2019

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Vietnam

Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam Electricity (EVN)’s Power Generation Corporation 1 (EVNGENCO1) said on March 8 that it has built a coordination plan to ensure coal supply for thermal power production.

Accordingly, the company will sign a contract to import this year’s first batch of 1 million tonnes of coal to serve the operation of Duyen Hai 3 Thermal Power Plant.

In March, EVNGENCO1 will work with subsidiaries of the Vietnam National Coal-Mineral Industries Holding Corporation Limited and the Ministry of National Defence’s Dong Bac coal corporation to ensure coal supply for its thermal electricity plants.

It will also sign a series of mid- and long-term contracts to make sure the operation runs smoothly in 2019 and the years following.

The plan looks to prepare for the peak months of dry season this year. Currently, the amount of domestic coal still meets production demand, however a stock shortage has been noticed.

EVNGENCO1 reported its electricity output at 2.53 billion kWh in February, up 27 percent year-on-year. Of the total figure, thermal power generated over 2.05 billion kWh, while hydropower produced 487 million kWh.

As thermal power accounts for the largest proportion of Vietnam’s energy production, the country is facing challenges to ensure a sufficient supply of coal for its plants in the coming years.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, by 2020, Vietnam is expected to produce about 26,000 MW of coal-fired thermal power, accounting for 49.3 percent of the total electricity generation and consuming about 63 million tonnes of coal.–VNA

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