First Jun Japanese media said France's Total plans to buy Japanese Toshiba rights to the LNG at the company Freeport LNG in the United States. remember that not so long ago we've discussed this story with all the details. If you say it in 2 words, Then the situation is as follows: a few years ago Toshiba bought the rights, then it seemed best. Currently, the market conditions have changed And the Japanese Firm are even ready to pay for the transfer of rights (And obligations) to another entity. One of the applicants was Chinese ENN, it has signed a preliminary consensus, But the deal fell apart. And nowadays, when a ten percent duty on American LNG to China turned into a 25% duty on new contracts With direct participation of Chinese organizations in the market us LNG can be forgotten at least until the cessation of the trade war. Toshiba looking for a new buyer, besides, is not from China. And Now the buyer of these facilities could become France's Total. why is it so interesting strategy of Total in the gas market, because, it would seem that this is just another private story about one of the foreign oil and gas corporations? The fact that the French organization owned 19, 4% of the shares of NOVATEK. At the same time, Total has a large parts And specifically in the companies "Yamal LNG" And "Arctic LNG 2" (the controlling shareholder of these 2 projects, of course, is "NOVATEK" ). In short, the interaction of Russian And French organizations can be confidently called strategic without any discounts on beautiful words: what is good for NOVATEK's good for Total. Currently, Total has interests in the production not only of Russian LNG, And involved in, for Example, Ichthys project - however, very expensive, Like All Australian plants. Work Firm And As a trader, entering into an agreement for purchase And sale of LNG. But that's All ancient history, Now the French energy Firm makes an obvious bet on the growing share of LNG in their own business not only in Russia But also in projects around the world. In addition to the acquisition of shares in "Arctic LNG 2" And a possible contract With Toshiba on assets in the United States, literally not so long ago, in April, Total also entered into consensus during the American Driftwood of the project LNG - to the same As a contract for the purchase of LNG, And direct participation in the capital of the organization. But that's not All. As you know, the American Anadarko currently buys Occidental Petroleum. But the latter is not interested in a number of assets of the acquired organization, for this reason, according to preliminary agreements, All African industries Anadarko buys Total. Among them - the project is large (for power - a little less of the "Yamal LNG" ) company LNG in Mozambique, the final investment decision has on which is expected later this month! Described all four episodes (in the U.S. conversations With Toshiba And contracts With Driftwood, in Russia - " Arctic LNG 2 ", And likely an enterprise in Mozambique) - the events of the very last 2 months, which confirms the introduction of policies to increase the share of LNG in the business of the organization. Another interesting Fact is that Total so confident in the selected course that are not willing to save money when investing in LNG. Curious to see how change And the change of General features of the agreement With Toshiba in comparison With the conditions for ENN. But for the Chinese, they were not very comfortable, partly led to the failure. Direct investments in Driftwood LNG can also be considered risky. And investments in "Arctic LNG - 2" made on the principle of a disproportionate payment - foreign investors pay more than your share investment in the company (which is good for the " NOVATEK ", But increases the production cost for these foreign investors). If we return to the strategic cooperation of Total And NOVATEK, which of all this we can draw conclusions. First, investments in geographically separated projects will allow Total to become an effective trader of LNG. "NOVATEK" as long as there is no such possibility, And then you can count on interaction. In a fairly competitive market, And it was just the way all companies will have to be very effective, for Example, that is achieved through optimization of logistics. On the reverse side, current And growth download the Northern sea route, which is easiest to do by directing the maximum volume of Arctic LNG to China. China is still rapidly increasing share of LNG in their own energy balance (3-year annual demand growth of over 40%!): this market became the second after Japan in size, And most important - How the market is growing. However, the way American LNG there is currently closed. But nobody prohibits you to "change" gas. for example, Total direct U.S. LNG to other markets, And Bo? Long volumes of Russian LNG (which there are And the proportion to Total) for exchange schemes will fall to China. As long as these topics can only speculate, But somehow the interaction With the large trader at export of Russian liquefied natural gas would be very helpful. Secondly, the main thing. As you know, over the Russian LNG sector is still hanging Danger of punishment from the United States: too high a temptation to remove a competitor in this way. Interaction With international Total before was considered a kind of insurance against punishment. Now, when Total investments in us LNG only accrue (And the following plots, the organization has several contracts for the purchase of LNG from American manufacturers), this insurance becomes even more justified. That is, the potential sanctions hit on Russian LNG (read - " NOVATEK "