Gazprom began supplying gas to Slovakia again at the beginning of February, using volumes given up by Hungary on the TurkStream pipeline, SPP said last month. Volumes were due to double from April, but no amounts were given.

The Alaska energy project should be included in a trade package, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba told parliament Monday, as he seeks to put together a sweeping agreement with Washington.

Hungary has gone the other way, leveraging its ties to Moscow for economic gain. It carved out exemptions from under EU sanctions on Russian oil and doubled down on natural gas purchases from Russia. Hungary is also pressing on with the Russia-led expansion of its sole nuclear power plant.

Lower LNG demand from China is also providing near-term relief for European buyers competing for shipments. The Asian country’s purchases are forecast to fall this year for the first time since 2022,

LNG suppliers have invested billions in new export projects on the assumption that China, the world’s top buyer, will underpin demand growth for decades.

“The benefits of expanding U.S. LNG exports have never been more clear, and I am proud to be taking action to support the American people and our allies abroad with more affordable, reliable, secure American energy,”

There have also been reports that Nord Stream 2 could be taken under new ownership with a view to allowing Russian gas to flow via the undamaged string of the link.

China is also boosting its energy security by focusing on producing more gas at home, which will help to curb import growth.

The Worldwide Rig Count for February was 1,741, up 46 from the 1,696 counted in January 2025, and down 71, from the 1,813 counted in February 2024.

According to Iran’s oil ministry, Qatar has already implemented pressure enhancement schemes, boosting production on Qatar’s side of the field (called North Dome).