TOKYO—Japan and its private sector firms will invest $10 billion on LNG projects worldwide, the country’s industry minister said on Sept. 26, in a strategy to boost the global LNG market and reinforce the security of energy supply.
The move, doubling a commitment by Japan two years ago to bolster energy supply chains, comes as the world’s biggest LNG buyer aims to reduce its reliance on energy from the Middle East as growing tensions in the region threaten the stability of global oil supply.
“On top of Japan’s commitment two years ago of investing or financing more than $10 billion in energy supply chains, we are making a fresh commitment of additional and collective $10 billion funding from both public and private sectors,” said Isshu Sugawara, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), speaking in Tokyo at the annual LNG Producer-Consumer Conference.
As a part of Japan’s effort to broaden use of the super-chilled fuel, the country also plans to train 500 experts in LNG technology, he said. In its 2017 pledge to bolster energy supply chains Tokyo already promised to train 500 experts in areas such as LNG reception technology and environmental regulations.
“By making these commitments to help develop the global LNG market, Japan will work hard to reinforce global energy security,” he said.
Japan’s previous funding commitment was made by former METI minister Hiroshige Seko at the LNG Producer-Consumer Conference in 2017.
That original $10 billion budget has been largely used up through spending or funding commitments to major projects such as LNG Canada, in which trading house Mitsubishi Corp has a stake, and Mozambique LNG project in which trader Mitsui & Co. owns a stake, according to an official at the industry ministry.
The country has already trained over 400 experts since 2017, the METI official said.
Recommended Reading
CERAWeek: JERA CEO Touts Importance of US LNG Supply
2024-03-22 - JERA Co. Global CEO Yukio Kani said during CERAWeek by S&P Global that it was important to have a portfolio of diversified LNG supply sources, especially from the U.S.
Report: Freeport LNG Hits Sixth Day of Dwindling Gas Consumption
2024-04-17 - With Freeport LNG operating at a fraction of its full capacity, natural gas futures have fallen following a short rally the week before.
Freeport LNG Says Trains 1, 2 at Texas Facility May Shut Until May
2024-03-20 - Freeport LNG on March 20 said its Train 2 liquefaction unit at the Texas plant has been shut down, while Train 1 will be taken down imminently as it expects inspections and any subsequent repairs at both the units to be completed by May.
Freeport LNG Down One Train After Texas Freeze
2024-01-29 - Freeport LNG’s 15 mtpa three-train export facility on the Texas Gulf Coast will be without its Train 3 for at least one month, due to an electrical issue during the recent Texas freeze.
Asia Spot LNG at 3-month Peak on Steady Demand, Supply Disruption
2024-04-12 - Heating demand in Europe and production disruption at the Freeport LNG terminal in the U.S. pushed up prices, said Samuel Good, head of LNG pricing at commodity pricing agency Argus.