Russia’s LNG Strategy: Foreign Competition and the Role of the Arctic Region

Earlier this spring (March 22), the Russian government adopted the “Long-Term Program on the Development and Production of LNG” (Government.ru, March 22). The document highlights the strategic role of the Arctic region in the pursuit of Russia’s main goal—gaining a 20 percent share in the global liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry by 2035. This goal was reiterated in June by…

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The sordid saga of IPPs

Recently, there have been reports that the fear of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) may force the government to back out of its deals with power companies set up under the 2002 power policy. The purpose is to renegotiate their ‘renegotiated’ power purchase agreements (PPAs) to deduct the alleged excess payments made to the 12 independent power producers (IPPs) from…

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Badak plant and the future of Indonesia’s LNG industry

Once known as the world’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporting country, Indonesia is transforming its LNG industry from its previous service as liquefaction plants only to the development of LNG receiving/regasification terminals or units. More than that, LNG products, which used to be entirely exported, are now absorbed mostly by domestic industries. There are three LNG liquefaction plants currently…

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Economy in recovery phase

Signs of recovery are gradually appearing. Exports grew around 18% in dollar value while imports rose around 26%. The imports outpacing exports resulted in a ballooning trade deficit of $31 billion. This is usual recovery story in a developing economy where imports normally exceed exports. Bourgeoning remittances of $29.4 billion played a major role in bridging the trade gap in…

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