LNG

April 4 (LNGJ) - Mitsui & Co., the Japanese conglomerate and LNG market participant in the shipping and project sectors, is close to gaining majority control of Australian natural gas operator AWE and its Perth Basin joint venture in Western Australia. Mitsui said that as part of its US$460 million takeover bid for AWE it had now been accorded 48 percent of the shares. Once the conglomerate reaches 50.1 percent of the shares in the Australian Securities Exchange-listed company its takeover offer becomes unconditional. AWE’s assets include a 50 percent stake and operatorship of the promising Waitsia onshore natural gas project.