During the period from April 11th to 17th, 2026, the following international news occurred:
1. Surveys begin on Australian natural hydrogen and helium project
Australia's Prominence Energy has commenced exploration for natural hydrogen and helium at its Gawler project in South Australia, covering an area of 64,000 square kilometres. The region is rich in iron-bearing rock formations that are conducive to the generation of hydrogen and helium. With current global helium supply tight due to the shutdown of Qatari LNG production, this project has the potential to supplement low-carbon hydrogen and helium supply.
2. India advances $75m biogas project as LNG supply risks grow
Australia's Prominence Energy has commenced exploration for natural hydrogen and helium at its Gawler project in South Australia, covering an area of 64,000 square kilometres. The region is rich in iron-bearing rock formations that are conducive to the generation of hydrogen and helium. With current global helium supply tight due to the shutdown of Qatari LNG production, this project has the potential to supplement low-carbon hydrogen and helium supply.
3. UK sees halt in Qatari LNG cargoes as Iran war disrupts flows
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes from Qatar to the UK have come to a halt due to conflict-related disruptions linked to Iran. Heightened risks in the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea shipping lanes have interrupted core supply routes, directly threatening UK winter energy security and driving up gas prices. Although the UK is seeking alternative spot supplies from the US and pipeline gas from Norway, the supply disruption has exposed the extreme vulnerability of its supply chain, prompting the government to reassess its energy security strategy and accelerate diversification efforts.
4. Honeywell to supply liquefaction equipment for RioGrande LNG
US-based Honeywell will supply liquefaction equipment for Trains 4 and 5 of NextDecade's RioGrande LNG project, with Bechtel Energy serving as the EPC contractor. The project is located in Brownsville, Texas. Trains 4 and 5 are expected to come online in 2031, increasing annual output by 12 million tonnes of LNG.
5. EU signs off on €3.7bn Czech biomethane production subsidies
The European Commission has approved a €3.7 billion Czech biomethane production subsidy scheme, with a focus on small and medium-sized farms, aiming to produce 350 million cubic metres of sustainable biomethane by 2030 for use in transport, heating, and industry. Subsidies will be provided through two-way contracts for difference, allocated via competitive tenders, for a period of 15 years.
6. Russia places temporary export controls on helium
Russia has imposed temporary export controls on helium to ensure domestic demand for military-industrial applications such as fibre optic production. The move exacerbates global helium supply tightness already caused by the attack on Qatar's Ras Laffan plant. Russia is the world's third-largest helium supplier, and its Amur gas processing plant has an annual capacity of 60 million cubic metres.
7. Belgian shipping firm to expand LNG terminal with converted FSRU
Belgian shipping company Exmar has begun converting an LNG carrier into a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) to expand the Eemshaven LNG terminal in the Netherlands. The converted unit will provide approximately 190,000 cubic metres of storage capacity and regasification capacity of 135 million cubic feet per day, contributing to European energy security and reducing dependence on Russian natural gas.
8. Italy’s Bionext gets €113m to develop 15 biomethane plants
Italian biomethane developer Bionext Infrastructure has secured €113 million in loans from BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole, and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation to convert 15 existing biogas plants into 100% renewable biomethane facilities. The move aims to reduce dependence on imported Russian natural gas and support Italy's decarbonisation goals.
9. EnviTec biogas completes second biomethane project in Slovakia
Germany's EnviTec Biogas has completed its second biomethane project in Slovakia, upgrading an existing biogas plant for agricultural company Cita Via to process 750 cubic metres of biogas per hour. The country plans to use European Union recovery funds to drive biomethane development, with 34 biogas plants having the potential to meet approximately 10% of annual gas demand.
10. Sublime Energie launches on-farm biogas liquefaction demo in France
France's Sublime Energie has commissioned "Charlie", the world's first on-farm direct biogas liquefaction demonstration system in Brittany, liquefying biogas produced from on-site anaerobic digestion and then transporting it to a central facility for upgrading into bio-LNG and liquid bio-CO2. The project adopts a hub-and-spoke model, aiming to address the challenge of grid connection for farm biogas, with an expected annual output of 180 tonnes of bio-LNG.
11. GMT secures £195m to scale UK biomethane projects
UK biomethane developer GMT has secured £195 million in project financing from ING to expand its facilities, targeting 1 TWh of capacity by 2030. The first phase is expected to produce 280 GWh of biomethane annually. The financing uses a non-recourse debt structure, supporting the company's transition to a replicable, scaled infrastructure model.
12. LNG ramp-up drives record volumes at Corpus Christi in Texas
The Port of Corpus Christi in Texas handled a record 54.5 million tonnes of throughput in the first quarter of 2026, with LNG shipments up 33% year-on-year. The growth is primarily driven by the ongoing commissioning of Cheniere's Stage 3 project. The US Department of Energy has previously approved a 12% increase in the terminal's export capacity, making it the second-largest LNG export project in the United States.
13. Inpex adds LNG carrier capacity amid rising supply fears
Japan's Inpex has held a naming ceremony for its new 174,000 cubic metre LNG carrier, "Harmonic Breeze". The vessel is equipped with dual-fuel engines and a reliquefaction system. With the current Middle East crisis affecting approximately one-fifth of global LNG supply, and labour talks at the Australian Ichthys project having broken down, further disruption to supply to Japan and higher import costs could follow.
14. Kuwait advances water security with six large-scale underground reservoirs in Al Na’eem
Kuwait plans to construct six large-scale underground reservoirs in the Al Na'eem area, each with a storage capacity of 100 million gallons, to enhance freshwater and brackish water reserve capacity in response to population growth and seasonal peak demand. The project is being advanced by the Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy and will be implemented through public tenders, aiming to strengthen national water supply security and system resilience.
15. Ireland mobilises €500 million to reinforce water infrastructure in the east
Irish national water utility Uisce Éireann has launched the "Water for Growth Programme", investing €500 million in 30 infrastructure projects in the eastern region over a ten-year period. Key elements include upgrading the Leixlip and Ballymore Eustace water treatment plants, and constructing new trunk mains and storage reservoirs, to alleviate pressure on a water supply network predominantly reliant on the River Liffey as a single source, supporting housing and regional development.
16. Pennsylvania invests $284 million to upgrade water infrastructure across 20 counties
Pennsylvania is investing $284 million in 33 water infrastructure projects across 20 counties, covering drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and non-point source systems. The largest single allocations include $53.9 million to the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority for sewer rehabilitation and $20 million to the Everett Area Authority for a new wastewater treatment plant. Funding comes from state, federal, and loan recovery sources.
17. Austin breaks ground on $1.5 billion wastewater plant expansion
The City of Austin has broken ground on a $1.5 billion expansion of the Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, increasing its daily capacity from 75 million gallons to 100 million gallons to meet projected demand for a population of 1.5 million. The project includes nutrient reduction, ultraviolet disinfection, flood walls, and odour control system upgrades, with funding from federal, state, and local sources.
18. Bendigo, Australia to upgrade water network with AUD$160 million efficiency project
Bendigo in Victoria, Australia, has launched the AUD$160 million (approximately $115 million) Coliban Rural Water Efficiency Project to upgrade a water supply network originally built in the 1870s, which currently has a leak rate of 79%. The project will reduce losses, expand recycled water use, and contribute 4.6 million cubic metres of water to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, of which 300,000 cubic metres will be returned for the autonomous use of Traditional Owners.
19. GF secures CHF100 million contract with Sabesp for São Paulo water network modernization
GF has signed a contract worth approximately CHF100 million with Sabesp, the water utility for the state of São Paulo in Brazil, for a 24-month period to supply polyethylene pipes and other products for drinking water network modernisation. The project supports Brazil's goal of achieving universal water and sanitation coverage by 2033. The two parties previously cooperated successfully on a pilot pressure management system.
20. Metropolitan Water District allocates $150 million for wastewater recycling project planning
The Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California has approved $150 million for planning the Pure Water Southern California wastewater recycling project over a two-year period. Once fully completed, the project will provide a local water supply for at least 1.5 million people. More than half of the funding comes from state and federal grants, with the remainder from agency reserves, aiming to address water supply challenges posed by declining flows from the Colorado River and reduced snowpack.
21. U.S. EPA announces $30 million to support water systems in small and rural communities
The US Environmental Protection Agency has announced $30 million in grants to support technical assistance and training for drinking water and wastewater systems in small and rural communities, helping private well owners improve water quality. The funding is part of the Emerging Water Technology Assistance Program and is open to non-profit organisations and institutions of higher education, with an expected funding of up to five projects.
22. Metro Vancouver completes key water infrastructure with Fleetwood Reservoir
Metro Vancouver has completed the Fleetwood Reservoir project, with a storage capacity of 13.6 million litres and an investment of $60 million, providing a stable supply of high-quality drinking water to communities south of the Fraser River. The reservoir connects to the regional water supply system and the City of Surrey's pumping station, while restoring the above-ground park area with the planting of over 2,000 shrubs, grasses, and trees, along with the addition of interpretive signage and benches.