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Equinor to expand LNG trading, eyes handle Europe, Asia, senior officer states

Norwegian energy group Equinor plans to broaden its melted gas (LNG) trading service and remains in talks with a number of potential purchasers in Europe and Southeast Asia, a leading authorities told .

The oil and gas manufacturer posted greater than anticipated first quarter revenue on Thursday, mentioning high production in its native Norway, strong functional performance and robust results from LNG trading.

LNG is viewed as an essential part of the shift to net-zero emissions by 2050 and will be needed for decades to come, particularly in Asia, the top-energy importing and taking in region and the most likely driver of global need until then.

Asia is extremely relevant for us as some of these growing economies are going to be huge energy consumers in the future and they will have their type of transition, Helge Haugane, Equinor's senior vice president, gas and power, said on the sidelines of Flame Gas and LNG conference in Amsterdam.

Imports of the sea-borne fuel have also changed a. substantial amount of Russian pipeline gas supplies to Europe. and in 2023 the area became the world's greatest importer of. LNG, going beyond China.

All the way as much as 2050 and beyond, Europe will still require. gas, Haugane included.

Equinor in 2022 overtook Russia's Gazprom as. Europe's greatest gas supplier as the intrusion of Ukraine. upended decades-long energy ties

Haugane said Equinor traded 6 million metric tons of LNG in. 2023.

Our mantra is value over volume, hence we do not have a. particular volume target however we do think that LNG is a growing. market which is going to be important for the energy shift,. and where we will discover opportunities, he added.

Haugane anticipates more price volatility moving forward than in. the past, which he stated bodes well for trading opportunities.

Profit at Equinor's Market, Midstream and Processing (MMP). department, that includes its trading service, fell to $887. million from $1.3 billion a year ago.

Still, that exceeded Equinor's own guidance of $400 million. to $800 million, thanks to strong arise from liquids and LNG. trading.

LNG trading and bets on strong Asian need have been major. contributors to magnificent earnings at energy giants consisting of. Shell, and TotalEnergies.

Equinor signed a 15-year contract in February to provide LNG. to India's Deepak Fertilisers.

Haugane said the company could look at sourcing more third. celebration LNG volumes in the future. It has actually currently contracted. around 3.5 million metric heaps from the United States' Cheniere. from 2026.