Wintershall CEO holds LNG and DEA merger discussion with First Mayor of Hamburg
Published by Will Owen,
Editor
LNG Industry,
In a recent meeting, Wintershall’s CEO, Mario Mehren, advocated for greater usage of LNG and informed Hamburg’s First Mayor, Peter Tschentscher, about the upcoming merger between Wintershall and DEA.
More LNG needed to reduce air pollution at sea
Wintershall, Germany’s largest natural gas and crude oil producer, is reportedly advocating for greater usage of LNG in maritime shipping. “Europe’s ports need LNG fuelling stations,” said Mehren during his recent talk with Tschentscher.
Mehren believes that LNG can also make a key contribution to reducing emissions at the Port of Hamburg. Hamburg aims to cut air pollutants in the port area, which is located close to the city, in the coming years. One of the solutions/approaches the city has included in its latest Clean Air Plan is to create an LNG infrastructure at the Port of Hamburg.
When it presented its annual report in mid-November, the Association of German Seaport Operators (ZDS) likewise emphasised the need for action: both regarding the use of LNG and the shore-side power supply systems for ships. Although the private sector had invested in that, central government and the federal states had to create the conditions for shipping to actually be able to use LNG and shore-side power.
“Port and shipping locations currently face major challenges. It is equally up to business and government to firmly establish climate protection and sustainability as guiding principles for political and business conduct. LNG is a key component in this in order to reduce emissions, especially in a port near to an urban area,” said Tschentscher.
“[LNG] isn’t available everywhere. That means Europe’s large ports will need LNG fuelling stations for ships,” emphasised Mehren at the meeting.
Wintershall-DEA merger in progress
Wintershall is currently planning to merge with the Hamburg-based oil and gas producer DEA. At their recent meeting, Mehren informed Tschentscher about the current planning status of the merger process, which is expected to be completed in 1H19.
“We are creating the leading independent European oil and gas company, one that will have headquarters in Hamburg and in Kassel,” said Mehren. He noted that the Hanseatic city plays a key role in the merger. “We produce natural gas and crude oil in the North Sea – from Norway, to Germany to the Dutch coast. That also makes Hamburg, as Europe’s largest port, an ideal location for European and worldwide offshore operations,” stressed Mehren.
Wintershall and DEA have a combined workforce of almost 3200 employees worldwide, around 520 of them at DEA in Hamburg.
Wintershall and DEA are two German companies that are steeped in tradition and are an excellent match, added Mehren in the meeting with Tschentscher. “Wintershall DEA will be the number one independent oil and gas production company in Europe. We can thus contribute to a strong and independent Germany and Europe.”
Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/liquid-natural-gas/13122018/wintershall-ceo-holds-lng-and-dea-merger-discussion-with-first-mayor-of-hamburg/
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