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Australia has been one of the world’s largest suppliers of LNG and Singapore currently imports 95% of its Liquid Natural Gas (LNG). In an effort to provide a more “green” alternative to LNG, Australia has invested in the Sun Cable Project, that aims to provide some of their solar power to Singapore. This project will allow Australia to have a more diverse electricity supply in an effort to help meet its Paris Commitment greenhouse gas reduction. 

As some countries begin measures to reopen and try to get back to somewhat of a normal routine again, Brazil is still fighting the spread of COVID-19. At least five oil producers have registered coronavirus cases among their employees and contractors at facilities located off the coast of Brazil.

For the first time in 20 years, AAA has NOT issued their Memorial Day travel forecast since the economic data utilized to create the forecast has been affected by COVID-19. Even with states reopening, many Americans are choosing to play it safe and stay home. The AAA annual forecast that estimates how many people will travel over this holiday weekend, plans to make a comeback next year.

The country of Venezuela has battled through tumultuous times under United States sanctions, a poor refining network has caused gasoline shortages as well as political and social upheaval. Another country that has also been under similar scrutiny and sanctions from the United States for comparison is Iran.  Over the past month, Iran has sent dozens of plane loads to Venezuela, consisting of equipment and chemicals necessary to produce gasoline as well as technicians to help jumpstart the dilapidated refineries of the South American country.  In addition, five Iranian tankers are currently in route to Venezuela to help improve the growing shortage of gasoline that as of last month had consumers paying close to $8 per gallon.

On April 14^th Apple announced that it had developed a program to capture user location data in an effort to track the spread of COVID-19.  As part of that announcement Apple also mentioned it had this data already, and users were aware that Apple has been tracking location data when they agreed to their terms and conditions. It is no surprise to anyone, that the data conclusively showed a dramatic decrease in the use of public transport, motor vehicles, and mobility in general since the outbreak of the virus. The graph below illustrates the massive drop in March in the United States.