US natural gas prices have plunged to a 28-month low and price projections over the next two years make planned North American LNG export projects even more attractive, analysts said.
Inpex Corp. of Japan sold another small stake in the Ichthys LNG project in Australia, this time to Tokyo Gas, as time runs out for a larger investor to come forward before the final investment decision.
Yemen LNG said it delivered 106 LNG cargoes in the past year as it overcame a terrorist attack on its feed-gas pipeline and pledged during 2012 to increase security and divert more cargoes to East Asia.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Compressor Corp. of Japan received orders for three compressor trains and a power generation system for the Prelude Floating LNG project being developed by Royal Dutch Shell offshore northwest Australia.
Korea Gas Corp., the largest global corporate buyer of LNG, said its volumes rose by 7.5 percent in 2011 and amounted to 33.5 million tonnes compared with 31MT in 2010 amid increased domestic and industrial demand.
Progress on the Vladivostok LNG production project on Russia's Pacific coast is expected by the last week in January when a delegation from the Russian natural gas company Gazprom completes a visit to Tokyo.
Hoegh LNG has entered into an agreement for the carrier "LNG Libra" for shipping services to the North West Shelf liquefaction project in Australia.
Inpex Corp.of Japan and Total of France have cleared the way for an imminent final investment decision on the Ichthys LNG project in Australia after three other LNG buyers signed binding sales and purchase agreements.
South Korea shipbuilders may make a joint bid of around $1.5 billion or more for French LNG marine storage tanks maker Gaztransport & Technigaz to trump an apparent effort by China to buy the technology-rich company.
Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Co. (RasGas), Qatar's No. 2 LNG production and export company, has begun shipping incremental cargoes to Taiwan on board Qatari vessels under a recently signed five-year deal coupled with a 20-year contract.