During the period from October 18th to 24th, 2025, the following international news occurred:
1. Southwest Oil & Gasfield Company Sets New Daily Natural Gas Production Record
On October 10, the daily natural gas output of Southwest Oil & Gasfield Company reached 145.9 million cubic meters, setting a new historical record. This marks another breakthrough following recent achievements such as cumulative production exceeding 700 billion cubic meters and shale gas production in the Southern Sichuan Basin surpassing 100 billion cubic meters. This year, the company has made significant exploration progress in conventional and tight gas, exceeding development targets for the first three quarters. Enhanced operational efficiency through coordinated efforts supports the push to achieve the annual production target of 50 billion cubic meters and ensure energy security.
2. Lhyfe opens first green hydrogen production site in Germany
France's Lhyfe has officially commissioned its first green hydrogen production site in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany. Equipped with a 10 MW electrolyzer, the site has an annual production capacity of 1,200 tonnes of hydrogen. Utilizing renewable energy from wind, solar, and hydro power, the produced hydrogen will supply heavy-duty transport and industrial users in Baden-Württemberg and connect to the H2 Mobility refueling station network. It is one of Germany's largest commercial green hydrogen projects to date.
3. South Korea will become Asia’s second biggest IG market, says Air Liquide
The CEO of Air Liquide East Asia stated that South Korea is expected to become Asia's second-largest industrial gas market by 2035, after China. The group's recent acquisition of DIG Airgas for $3.3 billion aims to position it for the long-term demand for specialty gases from high-tech industries like semiconductors and artificial intelligence. It has also launched a molybdenum material production line in South Korea supporting advanced chip manufacturing.
4. Gas Networks Ireland to connect €50m biomethane plant to national network
Gas Networks Ireland has signed an agreement with Evergreen Agriculture to connect the latter's €50 million biomethane plant in County Kildare to the national gas network. The plant processes 100,000 tonnes of distillery by-products annually, producing 100 GWh of biomethane and reducing carbon emissions by nearly 18,500 tonnes, with government subsidy support. It also utilizes recovered heat for greenhouses and produces bio-fertilizer for growing vegetables for donation. The construction and operation phase created 75 jobs. This is the sixth biomethane plant the company has contracted to connect within two years.
5. UK lists China ports and Russia LNG vessels in latest sanctions push
The UK's latest sanctions list includes Chinese ports such as Jingang Gang and Haixian Gang, entities including PipeChina Beihai LNG Co., Ltd., and seven Russian LNG carriers. This move aims to broaden the scope of sanctions against Russia and curb its energy revenues. Although the EU plans to ban Russian gas by 2027, it remains the largest buyer of Russian LNG, accounting for half of its total exports.
6. Jereh Hengri Signs 1.2 MTPA LNG Strategic Hub Project with Alxa League Yingtong Energy
Jereh Hengri signed an agreement with Alxa Yingtong to jointly build a 1.2 million tonnes per annum LNG plant, a key project for Alxa League in 2025. The project will be constructed in two phases. Upon full completion, it will become the largest single-train LNG plant in China, integrating multiple energy businesses. The first 600,000 tpa phase is scheduled to start operation in September 2026, utilizing Jereh's proprietary technology to provide clean energy for Inner Mongolia and surrounding regions, supporting the green transition of the energy structure in Northwest China.
7. Rio Grande LNG Train 5 reaches financial close
On October 16, 2025, NextDecade made a final investment decision for Train 5 of its Rio Grande LNG project and issued a full notice to proceed to Bechtel Energy. Train 5 has an annual production capacity of approximately 6 million tonnes. The total cost for the train and related infrastructure is approximately $6.7 billion, with first deliveries expected in the first half of 2031. NextDecade initially holds a 50% stake, potentially increasing to 70% in the future.
8. Air Water to operate Tata Steel ASU under 20-year contract
Tata Steel India has awarded the operation and maintenance of the Air Separation Unit (ASU) at its Jamshedpur plant to Air Water India under a 20-year contract effective November 2025. The ASU has a daily production capacity of 1,800 tonnes of oxygen, along with nitrogen and argon, and is currently in a stable operational period. This move aligns with the core strategy of the air separation company and supports India's goal of increasing steel production capacity to 500 million tonnes by 2034, aiding gas supply for the steel industry.
9. Wallenius Sol shuns LNG for liquefied biogas
Swedish shipping company Wallenius Sol is bucking the trend, switching its vessels "Baltic Pulser" and "Botnia Pulser" from using Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to liquefied biogas starting October, and has entered a supply agreement with Nordic energy company Gasum. Liquefied biogas, derived from organic waste, shares chemical properties with LNG, requiring no ship modifications, and helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, aiding customers in optimizing their Scope 3 emissions reporting. The parties are employing a joint procurement model to promote this renewable fuel.
10. California enacts SB 72 to modernize water plan and set long-term supply targets
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 72 (SB 72), which was passed unanimously by the legislature, creating a climate-resilient water supply framework for the state's diverse stakeholders. The bill requires the Department of Water Resources to update the California Water Plan and establish long-term water supply targets for beyond 2050, incorporating climate adaptation strategies. Supported by various parties, it aims to ensure sustainable water supplies for the state's residents, agriculture, and environment through coordinated planning and infrastructure investment, enhancing drought and climate resilience.
11. Completed $552M San Mateo WWTP upgrade will prevent sewer overflows into San Francisco Bay
The City of San Mateo, California, has completed a $552 million upgrade to its Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), the largest public works investment in the city's history. The project significantly increases treatment capacity, enables handling of extreme weather events, and prevents sewage overflows into the San Francisco Bay, while also utilizing advanced technologies to reduce nutrient discharges. The project received over $400 million in state and federal funding and benefits approximately 170,000 residents.
12. WA’s largest-ever steel water pipeline being laid, part of next step in Alkimos Desalination Plant
Western Australia is laying the state's largest-ever steel water main as part of the A$2.8 billion Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant. The pipeline, with a diameter of 1.6 meters and a length of 33.5 kilometers, is made from local materials and will connect the desalination plant to the Wanneroo Reservoir, with completion expected in 2027. The project is a key component of the state's third desalination plant, capable of supplying 50 billion liters of water annually, reducing groundwater extraction by 30 billion liters, and creating over 1,500 jobs.
13. India to upgrade water infrastructure in Uttarakhand with $191 million financing from EIB Global
EIB Global is providing a $191 million loan to India for upgrading water and sanitation infrastructure in Uttarakhand. The project will deploy smart water meters, automated monitoring, and leak prevention technologies, benefiting approximately 900,000 residents and expected to be completed within five years. This is EIB's first investment project in India's water sector, aiming to improve public health and support regional development.
14. Pennsylvania announces record-breaking $547 million investment to modernize water systems
Pennsylvania announced a $547 million investment for water infrastructure projects across 23 counties, the single largest funding allocation by the state's PENNVEST agency. The funding, sourced from state and federal sources, includes loans and grants that do not require repayment. It will support 30 projects, such as replacing lead pipes and upgrading treatment facilities. Significant funding was awarded to areas like Lancaster, with some projects incorporating clean energy elements, supporting the state's sustainability goals.