ALNAFT, Algeria’s government agency has launched its latest oil and gas licensing round and hopes to attract foreign investment after several blocks went unclaimed in the country’s previous two bidding rounds. Eight out of the ten contract areas on offer in the latest licensing round were not included in ALNAFT’s two previous rounds.

Indonesia's state-owned oil and gas company, Pertamina said on Thursday that the Donggi Senoro LNG project in Sulawesi hopes to secure firm supply commitments from Japan's Kansai Electric and Korea Gas Corp (KOGAS) by the end of the year.

Gazprom has reduced its forecast of gas sales to its European core market, forecasting 2010 sales will be unchanged compared to 2009 levels.

State-owned Saudi Aramco has reportedly extended the closing date for bids for packages for the construction of the Wasit gas plant, the kingdom's biggest, from September to October 24. No reasons were given for the delay.

Italy’s Eni plans to increase its gas storage capacity in Italy by 4 Bcm and has outlined planned proceedings to the industry ministry and regulators.

Japanese LNG imports reached 40.3 mt for January to July this year, up 8.94% from the same period in 2009.

India’s Petronet LNG expects demand at its 5 mtpa Dahej terminal in Gujarat to start increasing at the end of this year following major pipeline upgrades.

Gazprom’s net income hit $10.6 billion in Q1 2010, triple the $3.4 billion it achieved in the same quarter last year, as extreme winter weather conditions increased gas demand in Russia and Europe.