energy_security

Singapore – October 28, 2026 -- Seatrium Limited and Karpowership signed a Memorandum of Understanding to pursue a joint venture for floating power and digital infrastructure in Singapore, with possible expansion across Southeast Asia. The agreement was announced at Singapore International Energy Week 2026 and witnessed by Dr. Tan See Leng, Singapore's Minister for Energy, Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry).

Joint venture would cover development, financing, engineering and operations

The partners plan an integrated platform spanning infrastructure development, financing, engineering, construction and operations. Seatrium contributes offshore engineering, procurement, construction and systems integration. Karpowership contributes experience in developing, financing, owning and operating floating power and digital infrastructure, including behind-the-meter power for super intelligence.

Oslo – October 13, 2026 -- Nel ASA and Rheinmetall AG have signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding to explore decentralised production of low-carbon synthetic fuels for defence and critical infrastructure, starting with the Norwegian market.

The partners will combine Nel's electrolyser technology with Rheinmetall's Giga PtX concept and systems-integration expertise. They will assess scalable, modular solutions based on renewable hydrogen produced through electrolysis. The resulting fuels can substitute conventional fuels without changes to end-use applications.

Norway's single refinery drives the case for localised fuel supply

Norway operates only one oil refinery. The country exports significant volumes of crude oil to Europe for refining, and refined products are then shipped back for domestic use. In a disruption, parts of the fuel supply chain depend on infrastructure beyond national control.

Knoxville, Tenn. – – September 30, 2026 -- The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has issued a construction permit for Clinch River Unit 1, making the Tennessee Valley Authority the first U.S. utility cleared to build a GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy BWRX-300 small modular reactor (SMR). The permit, granted for TVA's Clinch River Nuclear Site near Oak Ridge, Tenn., marks only the second advanced reactor construction permit ever issued in the country.

NRC clears path for 300-megawatt reactor ahead of schedule

TVA said the NRC's evaluation process allowed the permit to be issued earlier than anticipated, a move officials framed as evidence of streamlined federal licensing for advanced nuclear technology. No construction start date has been announced.

"This construction permit is more than a regulatory achievement – it's foundational for America's nuclear future," said Mike Skaggs, TVA Interim President & CEO.

Calgary – September 26, 2026 -- Horizon Petroleum Ltd. (TSXV: HPL; FRA/Tradegate: HPM) said its wholly owned Polish subsidiary, Energia Karpaty Zachodnie sp. z o.o., has completed acid stimulation at the Lachowice 7 well in southern Poland and begun production testing, with preliminary flowback rates reaching 5.5 million cubic feet per day of natural gas.

Well begins flowing naturally after nitrogen-assisted unload

Following the acid stimulation, a coiled tubing unit was installed and nitrogen was circulated into the production tubing to unload the well. At approximately 06:30 CET, L7 began flowing gas and condensate naturally without further coiled tubing or nitrogen assistance and continues to flow.

Houston – September 19, 2026 -- Caturus LLC has unveiled a five-train, 7.75 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) expansion of its Commonwealth LNG export facility in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, a move that would nearly double the site's planned capacity to approximately 17.25 Mtpa.

Expansion follows a $9.75 billion financing close four months after final investment decision

The expansion comes just four months after Caturus reached final investment decision on the original six-train, 9.5 Mtpa Commonwealth LNG facility, which closed $9.75 billion in base project financing. Construction on that base project is on schedule for 2030 operations, with 8.5 Mtpa of its 9.5 Mtpa capacity already locked under long-term sale and purchase agreements.

Berlin – September 12, 2026 -- German gas storage levels have fallen to roughly 55%, the lowest level since comparable record-keeping began, according to industry association Die Gas- und Wasserstoffwirtschaft e.V. The trade body insists contractual delivery commitments to customers remain intact despite the record-low reserves heading into winter.

Storage levels alone do not determine supply security, association says

The 55% storage figure has intensified political debate over how Germany will navigate the coming winter. Die Gas- und Wasserstoffwirtschaft argues that supply contracts, storage, pipeline imports and LNG function as an interconnected system rather than storage levels acting as a standalone indicator of security.