During the period from August 9th to 15th, 2025, the following international news occurred:
1. SOL Group joins Andion in €20m+ bioLNG plant project with offtake deal
Italian multinational company SOL Group invested approximately 4 million euros to acquire a 20% stake in biomethane project company Biomethan Green 1, obtaining the exclusive offtake right for its bioLNG (bio-liquefied natural gas) plant in Mirandola with an annual output of 20 million euros, which will be distributed in Italy and Europe. The project is part of Italy's 19.3 million euro biomethane incentive program, aiming to achieve an annual output of 2.3 billion cubic meters by 2026, replacing 10% of natural gas demand to promote energy decarbonization.
2. Venture Global receives approval to increase capacity at Calcasieu Pass LNG
US LNG producer Venture Global has received approval from the Department of Energy to increase the capacity of its Calcasieu Pass project in Louisiana to 12.4 million tons per year. The project was put into operation in 2022 and entered commercial operation in April 2025. Previously, the company just completed the $15.1 billion financing for the first phase of its third project, CP2 LNG, with a peak capacity of 28 million tons per year, which is expected to make it the largest LNG exporter in the US.
3. Meritus expands distribution network with Cameron Welding and Buckeye Welding partnerships
US bottled gas distribution network Meritus Gas Partners announced partnerships with California industrial gas distributor Cameron Welding Supply and Colorado-based Buckeye Welding Supply. Cameron retains its original management and ownership structure and has completed the expansion of its specialty gas laboratory; Buckeye becomes Meritus' first partner in Colorado. Meritus, owned by AEA Investors, is committed to building a nationwide distribution network for industrial gases and welding equipment.
4. Southern Energy reaches FID for floating LNG carrier
Argentina's Southern Energy Company (SESA) finalized the final investment decision for a 20-year lease of Golar's 3.5 million tons/year MK II floating LNG carrier. The carrier, after being refitted in China, will be deployed in the San Matías Gulf of Argentina, with production expected to start in 2028, with an annual base rent of $400 million plus gas price sharing. Combined with the previous Hilli FLNG project, SESA's total capacity will reach 5.95 million tons/year, helping Argentina's LNG exports.
5. Cheniere reports $2bn half-year profit and signs SPA with JERA
US LNG producer Cheniere Energy reported $1.01 billion in revenue and $2 billion in net profit in the first half of 2025. The company signed a long-term agreement with Japan's JERA to supply 1 million tons of LNG per year starting from 2029, with the price linked to the Henry Hub index. In June, Cheniere just finalized the final investment decision for the 8th and 9th production lines of the CCL project, adding 5 million tons of annual capacity. In May, it also signed a 15-year natural gas supply agreement with Canadian Natural Resources Limited.
6. Veolia partners with Brazil to launch groundbreaking water reuse system in Vitória
Veolia Group won the bid for the sewage reuse project in Vitória, Brazil —— the Vitória Reclaimed Water Plant, which will build the country's most advanced industrial water reclamation system. With a daily treatment capacity of 38,900 cubic meters, the project adopts cutting-edge technologies such as membrane bioreactors, ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis. 85% of the sewage will be converted into industrial water, which is equivalent to freeing up the fresh water demand for 200,000 people. This is Brazil's first large-scale municipal sewage reuse project for industrial purposes, adopting frontier technologies, setting a benchmark for sustainable water resource management in Latin America, and will serve major local industrial enterprises.
7. $84 million Canyon Tunnel will secure water future for communities in California’s Central Valley
The $84 million "Canyon Tunnel" project in California's Central Valley was officially launched, jointly invested by the South San Joaquin Irrigation District (SSJID) and the Oakdale Irrigation District (OID). The 12,000-foot tunnel will replace the century-old aging canal, address the threat of landslides, and provide reliable water supply for 50,000 acres of farmland and surrounding towns. The project is expected to be completed in 2028, ensuring water security for the region for the next century and enhancing water delivery resilience.
8. EIB provides €45 million to BrianzAcque for water and sewerage network efficiency and resilience
The European Investment Bank (EIB) provided a €45 million green loan to Italy's BrianzAcque water company to support its water supply network modernization from 2025 to 2029. The project includes expanding water treatment plants, laying 16 kilometers of new pipelines, and building rainwater retention tanks, benefiting 877,000 residents. The investment will improve the efficiency of water supply and sewage treatment, reduce water loss, and create 50 jobs.