Energy Future – The Methanist

Humanity is capable of astonishing feats from making atoms visible to landing probes on saturnian moons. In business though, there are limits of what should be done - or not.

The true price of LNG

April 22, 2014

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Multiple times since I have turned into the Pitbull, I have faced…

The shape of things to come – Methanopolis

December 18, 2013

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Robert Kennedy said in a 1966 Cape town speech "There is a Chinese…

Forget hydrogen – here comes biomethane

October 23, 2013

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Hydrogen is often being touted the final solution to all our problems with vehicles and pollution. It does not produce CO2 (at least not directly) and for that fact alone its the darling of the tree huggers. But reality - as so very often - is much more complex. On balance hydrogen is not really the stuff you want in your tank and it comes at a very heavy price.

Why shale is good for mankind but bad for the US

October 14, 2013

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But America needs to fix its addiction to easy money and the current crisis could have been the best thing happening to the country in a long while for its curative properties. Its going to be bluntet by the shale gas boom as this puts new easy money at the fingertips of politicians.

Leapfrogging – LNG for Africa

August 13, 2013

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Many African countries are oil producers but they are also beset by frequent power outages. At the same time they flare Natural Gas in huge volumes. Infrastructure to bring that gas to power plants and then further distribute electricity is weak or non existent. That could be a blessing in disguise as the continent is on the verge of an energy revolution.

LNG on rails – networking fuel

July 15, 2013

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Road transport might offer ultimate flexibility as one can easily bring anything just about anywhere but when that flexibility is not even needed it comes at a horrendous price. The main difference between a network model and point to point transport is that the network is a loose system of different nodal points between which lumps of whatever (in our case LNG) zip zap around. These nodal points supply smaller satellite distributors which in turn are the backbone of the supply system.

Why terrorists will hate the new LNG world

July 3, 2013

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We cannot easily say that we did not try (in homeopathic doses) to wean ourselves off our addiction to imported hydrocarbons but who wants to take a reduction in lifestyle, even if that meant financing (directly or indirectly) some people that may wish to harm us. In simple words, we gave some of those who might want to kill us money - to increase their ability to do so. Plus our presence on their lands further stoked their ire. Not really smart but a reality we seemed had to live with so far. No more. The unconventional gas revolution has already done more for US national security than all nation building programs combined.

The coming methane age – will it ever end?

June 24, 2013

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An offhand remark on my last post made me think a little more about how significant methane will become over the next decades and what will end the show - and when.

Diesel v/ LNG in European trucking – is EURO 6 leveling the field?

June 12, 2013

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Those going for LNG as a fuel were always on the exotic side…

Cheap oil is over – what that means for LNG

June 4, 2013

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Cheap oil is gone, expensive oil comes in. But that changes the architecture of the energy planet more than most would like to think.

LNG or emulsion fuels – whats it gonna be

May 28, 2013

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It's a thorny question. And not one with a clear-cut answer possible.…

Something is lurking beneath those waves

March 20, 2013

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Methane Hydrates are known to the world as burning ice. It is an oddity to the energy industry and easily shrugged off but they are more imminent than many executives like to think. The LNG projects under construction today will bear its scars.

LNG is cold (when it should be cool)

February 13, 2013

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It’s incredible how misunderstood Natural Gas and especially LNG is by the general public. It’s the solution to many of our problems (at least energy wise) and still it has a bad name. That’s a shame as this stuff is so incredibly cool, it would have to be invented if it did not exist already.

A letter from Obama

February 6, 2013

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About 2 months ago I had written an open letter to president Obama. Here is his response. Right below it I explain why I think that LNG as a fuel is not just a blimp or a bridge technology as some like to call it. Its an energy earthquake and it will ring in a new paradigm shift.

Caribbean LNG – the steel pan paradigm

January 30, 2013

15 Comments

The Caribbean would be the perfect region for LNGification. It has not happened yet which is a shame as the immaculate pearl it evokes in our phantasies has been tarnished. But things are about to change, very dramatically so.

Beating the megatrains – the nimble revolution

January 17, 2013

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LNG has been a history of ever larger liquefaction trains. It all culminated in the construction of the Qatari supertrains. One of those monsters is able to satisfy the needs of more than the entire gas consumption of a small country such as Austria. But do they make economic sense?

Another option for Central Asian gas

January 14, 2013

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Central Asians are the strange region out of the Natural Gas world. They have lots of it. They would like to export it. But that's very hard. In the meantime, something much more worthwhile could be done with it.

What your experience is worth in a wormhole

January 7, 2013

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Expertise can be a drawback. Sometimes it's outright deadly. Some things - sometimes - change so deeply, so radically that old experience does not even serve as a valid foundation for new learning anymore. It becomes so harmful - you must get rid of it - or else you face oblivion. In Natural gas - this happens right here - right now.

Behold the future and marvel

December 13, 2012

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The future of energy will not be the linear continuation of the past. It will be a wild, twisted and contorted process and man, will it be exciting. The world will look very different from now 20 years down the road.

LNG sellers will become more like widget makers

November 13, 2012

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High fuel prices have caused the shale gas boom and there is…

Mr. Obama, could this be your LNG term?

November 9, 2012

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Mr. Obama - you are in your second term now. There is an entrepreneurial…

The tone here

November 6, 2012

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LNG has a mystery reputation. This is undeserved. This blog is…

LNG – killer app for diesel

November 5, 2012

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LNG is the fuel of this century. Its clean, its feedstock is…

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Caribbean LNG – the steel pan paradigmJanuary 30, 2013 - 12:03 am
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Comments

Testimonials

Human 2.0

Rudolf is in many ways a human 2.0 – very bright, good at languages, skills that cover the whole value chain of gas and the ability to question the conventional! The last is perhaps the most valuable, even if not all established “experts” want to listen. Frequently, time shows him right. His impatience is refreshing and a discussion with him is always enlightening!

Karen Sund - Founder

Sund Energy

Mastery

I met Rudi about a year ago (2015) when I was working on LNG Procurement with Emirates LNG. I needed very specific knowledge on contracts, market mechanisms and pricing. I tried a couple of sources to get smart, but it was not until I attended Rudi’s workshop on LNG contracts and prices that I really got to the core of everything. Rudi answered all my questions in simple language that was clear and easy to understand. Since then, whenever I have any question or something I am unclear on, I ask Rudi and I immediately get an answer. Not many people achieve mastery of anything at the level that Rudi has on the Gas and LNG industry. If you need to understand, really understand, then I highly recommend Rudi’s workshop.

Saleem Alavi - Captain

Emirates LNG

Knowledge and tenacity

I had the opportunity to share with Rudolf issues coming from a very challenging project, when we did all our best to achieve the better results in an uneasy business situation. I admired his deep knowledge of the LNG market and environment and his tenacity in looking for the best solution always. He is a clever manager with a clear view on the targets. It was definitely a pleasure to work with him.

Vincenzo Maria Emma - Head of Should Contract

ENEL

Inspires further investigation

I first discovered a certain Rudolf Huber while he was wrapping up at Fuel Emulsions International and starting at NeXtLNG. After setting me straight on my quest for the latest innovations with Marine fuels, I knew that the “Pit Bull” deserved special notice. Aside from having a passion for the Energy Business, he also has a teacher’s ability to inspire further investigation. He ventures an opinion where others don’t dare and he does so with wit that few who follow the sector can match. Rudolf champions realistic energy choices and is not afraid of shining BRIGHT lights on the changes ahead.

James D. Shepperd - Content Strategy PR Global

ESET

Tremendous visionary

I met Rudolf at the beginning of 2011, since we were both involved and working together within several European / Scandinavian projects for the development of technology, standardisation and legal aspect in the use of LNG as marine fuel and along its supply chain. Rudolf has vast expertise in, and perspective on, different aspects of LNG technologies, suppliers, infrastructures and supply chain options. He is able to provide a deep understanding and insight into these areas and is a conscientious and diligent source. Moreover, he is a tremendous visionary on the geopolitical, trading and technology aspects of energy, with a special remark for LNG traditional and small / mid magnitude chain. Rudolf has very proactive personal and working approach and is an excellent team worker and leader. Not least, he has a unique persuasive way of writing, negotiating and delivering speeches. I would certainly recommend him as an excellent expert and believe he would be a powerful asset for any company actively working in Oil and Gas. Thank you Rudolf! Marco

Marco Andreola - Owner Principal

Andreola & Associated Consulting

True Africa specialist

I was introduced to and met Rudi in Angola when he started to develop his Sub Saharan Africa network. At the time he worked for EconGas/OMV and he tried organizing longterm LNG supply for them under the unlikeliest of all circumstances. He figured that Africa would be the only place where this would be a realistic prospect for long term uncommitted supplies of LNG. Rudi did not hesitate, started in Africa from absolute zero and spawned relationships and personal friendships with incredible speed. When I met him I didn’t know much about LNG. Today I follow the LNG news on my continent with great interest and a much clearer understanding of the LNG trade. Whenever I have a job that involves venturing into the unknown, Rudi will always be my man.

Albert Namme - M.D/CEO

eXGas, Nigeria

Thrives under a challenge

I worked with Rudi on a key Europe-Middle East LNG supply chain transaction. He is incredibly driven and pushed the deal forward under very challenging internal and external circumstances. He is culturally astute and was able to navigate very successfully through the various subtleties within the global energy community. Also a great guy to work with!

Nomita Nair - Counsel

Allen & Overy

Proactive Business Developer

Rudolf is a true Business Developer. He questions everything, even his own logic and is not afraid to speak his mind. Rudolf had initiated our LNG activities in Africa and the Americas. He was THE authority to go to when issues arose in LNG but more generally when any issue the company did not know how deal with was on the plate. Rudolf is not a typical manager as we know it. He does not need a lot of structure and procedures and is extremely proactive when it comes to problem solving and making new contacts.

David Bergal - Portfolio Manager LNG & Natural Gas

Kinetrex Energy

Nothing but the facts

Rudolf is truly one of the brightest, most knowledgeable people in the world of LNG. He gives you the truth, not a version of it. He is not swayed, he can not be bought by the majors. Trust his word because it is always backed by facts!

Jim Gerber - Director

Terra Commodities Consulting

Reality check

While I disagree with Rudolf Huber on a few things, I’ve learned a fair bit from him., And his reasoning on fuel, economics, capabilities, financial and physical and thermal reality check. And I did not think so 6 months ago. Keep plugging Rudolf!

Eric Levy

Catalyst Recruiting, Inc

Informative, reliable, sensible and refreshing

I love your acute commentary, Rudolf, informative, reliable, sensible and refreshing. Let’s hope more follow your example and we start to realize the full potential of professional social media.

Gil Hardwick - Writer and Director

Environmental Film Group West

Rudolf Huber was featured in those quality publications

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