Central European countries need U.S. natural gas

2014-03-28 Source: China Petrochemical News World Magazine

Petrochemical News

Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia have urged the U.S. Congress to relax restrictions on exports to help its purchase of U.S. natural gas, thereby reducing dependence on Russia. These four countries ambassador to Washington also sent a joint letter to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, and urge them to help speed up the liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to the European process. Ukraine crisis exacerbated its concerns about Russia's use of natural gas as a political weapon. 4 ambassadors noted that their countries from 70% to 100% of the natural gas comes from Russia. 4 ambassadors wrote Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid and House Speaker John Boehner in a letter that "will be very popular in the U.S. natural gas in central and eastern Europe, the United States is the time to accelerate the LNG exports to allies pace, and now it is a very important moment. " Currently, the United States did not export to Europe LNG, Congress has no direct authority to approve the export of power in the energy sector in general and politicians in the hands of control. 4 States Ambassador also pointed out in the letter, "Energy security is not only involved in these areas of our daily life of millions of citizens, but also one of the major challenges of the U.S. allies in Central and Eastern Europe is now facing." However, even if the limit does not exist, the United States currently can not help Europe because its first LNG export terminal will likely be completed in the second half 2015. Some supporters said free outlet, even so, deregulation still be released to Russian President Vladimir Putin "American allies will not be allowed to be pushed" signal. In the United States, launched a new technology in mined from shale oil and gas boom in energy production to help the country surpass Russia as the world's largest natural gas producer. While U.S. natural gas can be sold freely give American countries have trade agreements, exports to other countries, but still need the approval of the U.S. Department of Energy, many energy companies have complained that this process takes too much time. In the four countries, while confidence Ambassador to lawmakers, some members of Congress have the responsibility onto the body of President Obama. They believe that the president can use his executive powers to expedite the approval process. Boehner said, "The government has done little in this matter, and we should do is the opposite. More exports will create new employment opportunities for the U.S. energy industry." Earlier, Gazprom said it would stop at a discounted price to sell natural gas to Ukraine. EU member governments said, ready to provide security for energy supply in Ukraine. When asked whether the Obama administration will increase natural gas exports, a White House spokesman pointed out that the current U.S. export terminal was not ready, but because the LNG inventory is higher than normal levels, the risk of a shortage of natural gas in Europe and the Ukraine is very low. If Russia cut off gas supplies, it will give up lucrative income because of the bitter taste the bitter fruit of financial trouble. In 2011, the U.S. Department of Energy has approved six LNG export terminal, the first natural gas export terminal is located on the Sabine Pass terminal in Louisiana, however, to begin exporting to the terminal in the second half of 2015. (British "Financial Times") (ZhaoChangQing translation)