An industrial property-led resurgence has shielded the Australian commercial market from the worst of the COVID-19 recession, according to one of Australia’s leading economists. While some commercial property asset classes – in particular offices and retail – have endured significant headwinds throughout the pandemic, REA Group chief economist Nerida Conisbee says industrial has been a shining light during a challenging period for the economy. The surge in industrial property activity has been driven in large part by investors seeking assets that can be used for warehousing, distribution and logistics, due to the rapid acceleration of e-commerce as more people shop from home. Industrial/warehouse search activity on realcommercial.com.au in October was up 27.2% year on year – the largest increase of any asset class.

India, the world’s fourth largest liquefied natural gas importer, is aiming to raise the share of gas in its energy mix to 15% by 2030 from the current 6.3% and is investing $60 billion by 2024 to strengthen infrastructure. The country’s top importer Petronet LNG is renegotiating pricing of gas bought under long-term deals with Qatar, after a spot price slump made oil-linked long-term deals unattractive. “There is greater recognition to immediately address the rigidities in its marketing structures in LNG sector,” the minister said referring to clauses like destination restriction. India is doubling its natural gas grid to 34,500 kilometers and increasing annual gas import capacity to 61 million tonnes by 2022 from the current 42 million tonnes, he said. From the Archive

World Pipelines’ Senior Editor, Elizabeth Corner, recently sat down with Jim Bramlett, Commercial Manager – North America at Tracerco, to discuss Tracerco’s recent article in World Pipelines. Jim is one of Tracerco’s most experienced commercial managers with over 25 years in the oil and gas sector. His industry experience encompasses in-field, operational management, commercial and business development. This special Q&A session will cover some of the topics raised in Tracerco’s recent article in the August 2020 issue of World Pipelines, entitled ‘Ensuring control of pig tracking’. The article describes a project for a Gulf of Mexico operator to supply pig tracking radioisotopes and equipment for use on the dewatering, conditioning and commissioning phases of a newly installed pipeline over 200 miles in length.