Energy Links

Japan wants to buy more liquified natural gas from the United States, according to reports in the business and energy media.

Bloomberg reported Japan to Boost LNG Imports From U.S. as Nuclear Power Declines

Japan, the world's largest importer of liquefied natural gas, plans to seek more U.S. cargoes to ensure adequate power supplies after its use of nuclear reactors fell to an all-time low.

Japan's senior vice minister of trade and industry, Seishu Makino, asked U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu at a meeting yesterday in San Francisco to increase LNG exports, Akinobu Yoshikawa, deputy manager for the Petroleum and Natural Gas Division, told reporters today in Tokyo.

Reuters reported Japan to start buying LNG from U.S. by 2015-Nikkei

Japan plans to start importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States as early as 2015 to secure a steady supply amid growing demand for the fuel, Nikkei business daily reported...

Japanese power and gas utilities would initially import 2-3 million tons of LNG a year, the daily said. Gas extracted from shale rock formations will be liquefied in Texas and Louisiana. The LNG will then be shipped to Japan via the Panama Canal, Nikkei said.

Liquified natural gas from fields in Alberta and British Columbia sold to Japan is a major reason for LNG developments at the port of Kitimat. Testimony at last June's NEB hearings on the KM LNG export licence application warned of increasing competition from the US for Canadian LNG.