LNG

Cheniere Energy, the newest US LNG import terminal operator, posted a net loss of $49.9 million for the first quarter of 2008 as it continued talks with various parties that could ultimately lead to a merger or takeover.

The Offshore Technology Conference in Houston concluded after four days, with more than 75,000 paying energy industry professionals attending to hear around 300 technical presentations, and with a bigger focus on US LNG and offshore LNG technology.

Gasol, the venture company formed to find LNG opportunities off West Africa, has exercised an option to acquire all the shares in African LNG, a project company in which it previously held a minority stake.

LNG imports by Asian countries and North America soared in 2007 but Europe’s LNG imports dropped, according to the latest statistics from Paris-based Cedigaz.