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Osaka Gas sees little impact from Freeport LNG's partial shutdown

Japan's Osaka Gas anticipates to see little influence on its balance of supply and need for liquefied gas (LNG) from a partial shutdown of U.S. Freeport LNG's facilities, the president of the city gas provider said on Wednesday.

Last week Freeport said it shut the Train 2 liquefaction system at its Texas plant, while Train 1 would be removed soon in expectations of finishing by May its examinations and any subsequent repair work at both units.

Our procurement volume from Freeport might fall somewhat due to the concern, however we stay in comfy position in terms of LNG procurement, thanks to the mild winter season conditions, President Masataka Fujiwara informed a press conference.

I don't see it as significantly impacting our supply and need balance, he said, including that he thought the mild winter season had actually left most of Japan's other purchasers with an excess of fuel.

Freeport LNG, the third most significant LNG export plant in the United States, materials Osaka Gas with 2.32 million metric loads of the super-chilled fuel each year.

A fire in June 2022 shut Freeport for about eight months, triggering the Japanese utility a substantial loss as it required to pay greater costs for alternative supply.

Osaka Gas is also an owner of the U.S. project, with stakes of 10.8% in Freeport LNG and 25% in one of the three liquefaction trains.

(source: Reuters)