China

Brief China: Another US LNG Project Goes Ahead: Positive for the Contractors; Negative for Others Looking to FID and more

In this briefing:

  1. Another US LNG Project Goes Ahead: Positive for the Contractors; Negative for Others Looking to FID
  2. Last Week in GER Research: Best World, Graincorp, Myob and New Century IPO
  3. Trade Talks/Huawei/ Stock Surprise/Monetary Policy /Greater Bay Area
  4. NextDecade’s Oil-Linked Contract Offering Signals More Hurdles Ahead for US LNG Project Developers

1. Another US LNG Project Goes Ahead: Positive for the Contractors; Negative for Others Looking to FID

Cp pipeline illustration 1e 1

US private LNG company Venture Global is starting construction on its 10 million ton per annum (mtpa) US LNG export facility in Louisiana after gaining approval from the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). This is positive for the LNG contractor market and we discuss the companies involved in the project. 

This follows final investment decision taken on Golden Pass (Exxon and Qatar Proceed with US$10bn Golden Pass LNG Terminal: Positive for Chiyoda and MDR US) and supports our thesis of a large wave of new projects that will be sanctioned in the coming months (A Huge Wave of New LNG Projects Coming in the Next 18 Months: Positive for The E&C Companies). This was viewed as a relatively speculative project and with aggressively low cost and timing estimates.

Source: Venture Global

2. Last Week in GER Research: Best World, Graincorp, Myob and New Century IPO

In this version of the GER weekly research wrap, we assess the controversy surrounding potentially inflated revenue concerns for Best World International (BEST SP) . Secondly, we dig into the latest M&A situation for Graincorp Ltd A (GNC AU) amidst a testy AGM and a slow resolution to a binding bid which may limit a bump. In addition, we update on the KKR bid for MYOB Group Ltd (MYO AU) which Arun contends is unlikely to receive a counter bid due to KKR’s blocking stake. Finally, we initiate on the IPO of hotelier Zhejiang New Century Hotel Management Group (ZHEKAIH HK).  A calendar of upcoming catalysts is also attached. 

More details can be found below. 

Best of luck for the new week – Rickin, Venkat and Arun

3. Trade Talks/Huawei/ Stock Surprise/Monetary Policy /Greater Bay Area

China News That Matters

  • Nearing an agreement?
  • Can´t live with ´em, can´t live without ´em.
  • Just a trillion greenbacks up since January.
  • Prudence please, no “flood-style” irrigation. 
  • Wear flowers in your hair.

In my weekly digest China News That Matters, I will give you selected summaries, sourced from a variety of local Chinese-language and international news outlets, and highlight why I think the news is significant. These posts are meant to neither be bullish nor bearish, but help you separate the signal from the noise.

4. NextDecade’s Oil-Linked Contract Offering Signals More Hurdles Ahead for US LNG Project Developers

Picture1

NextDecade Corp (NEXT US) recently announced that it started offering long-term contracts indexed to the crude Brent in order to attract more LNG buyers. This follows the agreement reached by Tellurian Inc (TELL US) with Vitol back in December to index a long term contract with the Asian LNG price benchmark JKM. While typically US LNG projects are indexed to the Henry Hub, declining crude oil and LNG prices seem to have diminished the appeal of the Henry Hub pricing compared to the oil indexation. This insight takes a look at the latest trends in the LNG markets to assess which companies are taking the lead in the race to bring to FID in 2019 their proposed LNG projects.

Exhibit 1: NextDecade adds Brent indexation to its commercial offering

Source: NextDecade Corporate Presentation February 2019

 

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