Latest news with #GulfCoast
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Japan's Tokyo Gas eyes US LNG supply deal
Japan's gas distributor, Tokyo Gas, is currently in discussions with several US liquefied natural gas (LNG) suppliers to finalise a long-term purchase agreement, reported Bloomberg. This strategic move is in response to Japan's increasing reliance on LNG as a critical energy source. The company is engaging with at least four suppliers along the US Gulf Coast, with names such as Energy Transfer and Commonwealth being mentioned by sources familiar with the negotiations. The details of the talks remain confidential as the involved parties have either declined to comment or have not responded to inquiries. This initiative is part of Japan's broader preparation for an anticipated surge in power demand, driven by the growth of data centres and semiconductor manufacturing. The Japanese Government views LNG as an essential component of the nation's energy security and is seeking to secure supplies that could extend beyond 2050. US-sourced LNG is particularly appealing due to its contractual flexibility, which allows Japanese buyers to redirect shipments based on fluctuating domestic needs or more favourable global prices. In addition to securing LNG supplies, Tokyo Gas is also bolstering its presence in the US gas market. The company acquired shale drilling company Rockcliff Energy in late 2023 and has reorganised its US portfolio, including purchasing assets from Chevron in east Texas and divesting its Eagle Ford stake to Shizuoka Gas. In February, Tokyo Gas acquired a 20% stake in FGEN LNG, the owner and operator of an offshore floating LNG terminal in Batangas City in the Philippines. "Japan's Tokyo Gas eyes US LNG supply deal" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
CBS News
12 hours ago
- Science
- CBS News
Some sections of New Orleans' flood walls sinking at rate of nearly 2 inches per year, study finds
New Orleans — As the Atlantic hurricane season officially begins next week, a new study published Friday by researchers at Tulane University reveals hotspots in New Orleans' concrete flood walls which had been strengthened in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The study found that the city's concrete flood walls are sinking faster than sea levels are rising, reducing capacity to block storm surges in some neighborhoods. "There is certainly a potential in the future, if these rates continue, to degrade our level of protection of the flood protection system," Tulane professor Mead Allison, a co-author on the study, told CBS News. This summer marks 20 years since Katrina made landfall on the Gulf Coast, leaving more than 1,300 people dead and displacing more than a million people across the region. Following the destructive storm, $15 billion was spent to reinforce a levy system designed to keep water out. New Orleans, much of which lies below sea level, relies on this elaborate system of levees, pumps and drainage canals. The study, published in the journal Science Advances, used satellite radar data to track shifts in ground elevation across the Greater New Orleans area between 2002 and 2020. It found that while most of the city remains stable, some neighborhoods, wetlands, and even sections of the region's post-Katrina flood protection system are sinking by more than an inch per year — with some areas experiencing up to 47 millimeters, or nearly 2 inches, of elevation loss annually. "In a city like New Orleans, where much of the land is already near sea level, even minor drops in elevation can increase flood risk," said Simone Fiaschi — lead author of the study and a former researcher with Tulane's Department of River-Coastal Science and Engineering, now employed at TRE-Altamira — in a statement. "These results are a wake-up call," Allison said. "We need ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure that our flood defenses don't lose their level of protection beneath us." If trends continue, and infrastructure is left unchecked, the study found wetlands east of the city could transform marshes into open water within the next 10 years if trends continue — effectively eliminating critical storm surge buffers to the Louisiana coast. The study also identified some potential causes of the sinking hotspots. It found pockets of land are sinking around industrial sites, the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, and newer residential developments — areas where soil compression and groundwater withdrawal are likely contributors. Researchers said the findings also underscore a few potential solutions to better protect New Orleans and other coastal communities across the globe, including frequent upgrades to the flood protection system and satellite monitoring. Some residents living in the Michoud neighborhood on the city's east side — one of the areas identified in the study as sinking more rapidly than others — are concerned that maintenance won't be prioritized. Michoud resident Synthia Viltus pointed out that potholes and other smaller infrastructure issues in her neighborhood have remained unresolved for months. "I have zero faith in state federal leaders to keep the levies updated," Viltus said. The study did find a positive — some areas where industrial activities had been halted had actually caused the land to lift back up. The study's authors also hope their work will help guide other coastal cities who may be facing similar challenges to New Orleans. "This research shows that land movement isn't uniform, and understanding these patterns is crucial for protecting lives and property in a city where inches truly matter," Fiaschi said in the statement. "However, it's crucial to remember that our results still require careful ground-truthing. This is especially true for critical areas like the floodwalls, where on-site verification was not possible during this project." When reached by CBS News, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said the levies are designed to last for at least another 25 years. USACE added it is already in the process of upgrading the levies so they can last another 50 years.
Daily Mail
16 hours ago
- Climate
- Daily Mail
60m Americans at risk as major safety system is cut ahead of hurricane season
Millions of Americans now face greater danger this hurricane season after the Pentagon abruptly shut down a key program that delivers crucial storm data. As of June 30, the federal government will no longer process or share data from three weather satellites that predict hurricanes 10 to 12 hours before forming. Experts are concerned that the loss of satellite data could impact every storm approaching the US East Coast and Gulf Coast regions, where more than 60 million Americans live and rely on accurate, timely hurricane forecasts. The loss could lead to delayed storm warnings, less accurate hurricane models, and reduced evacuation time for people. James Franklin, retired National Hurricane Center branch chief, told NewsNation: 'There are going to be cases this year when certain warnings are delayed because of this. 'It might mean that evacuations get delayed because of this, and you could lose lives because of this.' In May, officials released a forecast for 2025, predicting a 70 percent chance of an above-average hurricane season, with 13 to 19 named storms. Of those, six to 10 could become hurricanes, including three to five major hurricanes of Category 3 or higher. Last year, around 400 people died during the hurricane season, the deadliest since 2005, according to the National Hurricane Center. Meteorologists at AccuWeather expect as many as six major storms could make direct landfall in the US this summer. That would be the same number of storms that caused the damage of $500 million last year, when Hurricanes Helene and Milton were the most destructive. The satellites provided microwave data that allowed scientists to see inside storms and monitor wind and rain patterns, even through clouds and darkness. Without it, forecasters could miss six to ten hours of early warning. Experts say without the satellite data, forecasters may not detect signs that a storm is rapidly strengthening until it's too late, a risk meteorologists call a 'sunrise surprise.' These storms appear mild at night but suddenly become stronger and more dangerous by morning. 'This is a major setback,' said Marc Alessi, a hurricane expert with the Union of Concerned Scientists. 'We will no longer be able to say, OK, this storm is definitely undergoing rapid intensification, we need to update our forecasts to reflect that.' The data stream was officially terminated on June 27, typically before the beginning of peak hurricane activity in July, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). A NOAA spokesperson said the agency is using other satellites and tools to continue forecasting storms, calling it a 'routine process of data rotation and replacement.' But former officials say the move was unusually abrupt and poorly communicated. 'I've never seen anything like this,' said Rick Spinrad, a former NOAA administrator. 'It's shocking.' The shutdown raises deeper concerns about the Pentagon's commitment to weather forecasting and climate science. The White House has proposed a nearly 40 percent cut to NOAA's 2026 budget, cutting more than $2 million in funding. The Trump administration's second term has also moved to reduce staff and eliminate contracts related to disaster preparedness and climate research. In 2024, NOAA produced some of its accurate forecasts ever for hurricanes Milton and Helene, predicting rapid intensification and landfall with almost perfect precision. Scientists say the level of accuracy depended on having fully funded satellites and data systems that have now been dismantled. 'This is alarmingly bad news,' said University of Miami hurricane expert Brian McNoldy.
Bloomberg
19 hours ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
US Gulf Coast to Help Supply Record Mediterranean Diesel Imports
Refiners on the US Gulf Coast are set to send increasing amounts of diesel to Europe, a burgeoning trade that could last through summer, according to an analysis by Vortexa. Higher power-generation demand in the Mediterranean is expected to drive the gains, which already boosted freight rates 40% in the week ended June 16, Vortexa said.
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Governor of Louisiana to Join Equinor, Edison Chouest Offshore for Christening of U.S.-Built Service Operations Vessel ECO Liberty
NEW ORLEANS, June 27, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Equinor, the developer of Empire Wind 1, will join Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, First Lady Sharon Landry, and host Edison Chouest Offshore for a christening ceremony for the ECO Liberty on Saturday, June 28, at 11 am at the Port of New Orleans. The American-made Service Operations Vessel (SOV) was built by more than 500 Louisianans and showcases the Gulf Coast's growing manufacturing role in supporting U.S. offshore wind projects. The ECO Liberty is made of American steel and includes components from several Gulf Coast states. The 262-foot hybrid-powered vessel will soon depart for New York, where it will be homeported at the newly redeveloped South Brooklyn Marine Terminal. The ECO Liberty will be deployed to support ongoing marine construction in the lease area and eventually serve as the residence for Empire Wind workers offshore. WHAT: Christening Ceremony for the ECO Liberty WHO: Governor Jeff Landry Louisiana First Lady Sharon Landry, Vessel Godmother Representatives from Edison Chouest Offshore and Equinor WHEN: Saturday, June 28, at 11 am WHERE: Port of New Orleans, 1350 Port of New Orleans Pl, New Orleans, LA 70130 View source version on Contacts Media is invited to attend the christening event and should RSVP to:David SchoetzSenior Communications Manager, Equinor Renewables Americas475-216-1942, dscho@ Sam SpieglemanStrategic Communications Assistant, PRG303-880-6328,
