Australian Chevron LNG workers’ strike unsettles global gas markets

Following unsuccessful negotiations, liquefied natural gas (LNG) workers at Chevron Corp’s key sites in Australia initiated partial strikes yesterday, a move that has unsettled global gas markets. This news spurred gas futures in Europe, causing them to leap by as much as 13%, illuminating the region’s susceptibility in the aftermath of last year’s energy crisis. Spot LNG in Asia also saw an increase.

The partial strikes, which began at 1pm Perth time at the Gorgon and Wheatstone facilities, are particularly significant as these sites provided around 7% of the global LNG supply last year. Gorgon is the world’s third-largest gas liquefaction plant by capacity. Union members of the Offshore Alliance pledged to cease work entirely for two weeks starting September 14.

The disagreement over pay, job security, scheduling and clarity on work…