Energy media organizations, mostly based in Houston, Texas, report that LNG Canada is working to increase production as the war with Iran strangles international energy shipping.

The information is based on figures from the financial analysts including LSEG  which provides of financial markets infrastructure and delivers financial data, analytics, news and index products to 44,000+ customers in over 170 countries.”

The analysts are reporting that LNG Canada  has already shipped five cargoes this month, more than half the volume shipped in February. The destinations included Japan, South Korea and the Philippines.

The data appears to show that LNG Canada is currently operating close to its full capacity of 14 million tonnes per year. The ramp-up comes as Qatar, a major global LNG supplier, halted shipments after tanker routes through the Strait of Hormuz were disrupted. With direct Pacific access shortening shipping times to Asian buyers, LNG Canada is positioned to help fill supply gaps while benefiting from higher regional LNG prices.

In reply to a question from Reuters,  an LNG Canada spokesperson did not comment on the facility's current production volumes but said the company continues to advance early operations at the site safely and responsibly.

LNG Canada can export just under 1.2 million metric tons per month. In the first one-third of March it has loaded more than 400,000 tons, the LSEG data showed.

Another financial watcher, Martin King, an analyst with RBN Energy told Reuters. LNG Canada is “ramping up activity to push toward full capacity, as well as trying to make a quick surge in LNG output to get more LNG on the water to Asia and take advantage of higher prices in the region."

Qatar, which supplies about 20% of globally traded LNG, was forced to halt production and declare force majeure when the conflict blocked tankers from transiting the Strait of Hormuz. LNG buyers in Asia account for more than 80% of shipments from Qatar, the world's No. 2 producer after the U.S., according to data from analytics firm Kpl.

Continued flaring

LNG Canada reported on an unplanned flaring event occurred  March 11th at 10:40 pm and will continue for approximately one week, with intermittent flaring and a flare height between 15 metres and 90 metres. We anticipate increased noise and visible emissions during this period.

Another energy media, BOE, is reporting based on its sources that the current flaring may have been caused by a power failure at the plant.

There was a six-hour power failure in the Kitimat area, mainly affecting Haisla, on March 7, caused by a downed tree on the Village Road, which is not near the LNG Canada plant.