Ichthys pay deal sealed after little impact on LNG flows
Workers at Inpex's Ichthys LNG plant have voted in favour of a new enterprise agreement covering 2026 to 2030, which the company is now preparing to lodge with the Fair Work Commission. That closes a dispute which ran from 2 June to 17 June and only escalated to the shutdown of one of Darwin's two liquefaction trains in its closing days. Still, it cost Inpex some $200 million by the unions' estimate, with one LNG cargo and two condensate cargoes said to have missed their loadings.
Unions end Ichthys LNG strike
Australian unions have ceased all strike actions at Ichthys LNG onshore and offshore facilities, having reached a pay deal with Japan’s Inpex. The walkout began on June 2 and had forced Inpex to shut one of two liquefaction trains at its plant in Darwin this week.
Ichthys LNG strike extended to July 6; all loadings at risk
Australia's Offshore Alliance is seeking to extend industrial action through July 6, threatening to halt all loadings at the Inpex-operated Ichthys LNG terminal. The strikes were initially expected to end on June 23.
Inpex seeks to block Ichthys LNG strike
Japan’s Inpex is seeking urgent orders from Australia’s Fair Work Commission to block a strike at its Ichthys LNG facilities. The move follows unions' threats to escalate strike actions starting Thursday after wage negotiations failed, raising the risk of disruptions to roughly 10% of Australia’s LNG exports in an already tight market.
Strike at Ichthys LNG to escalate from Thursday
Workers at Ichthys LNG have threatened to escalate strikes starting Thursday after wage negotiations with Inpex failed, raising the concerns over disruptions to roughly 10% of Australia's LNG exports.
Ichthys LNG strike risk leaves Japan most exposed
Strike threats at Inpex-operated Ichthys LNG terminal from May 27 leave Japan most vulnerable, given its heavy reliance on contracted Australian supply. Around 70% of the LNG from the 9.3 mtpa Ichthys facility in Darwin is sold to Japanese offtakers, notably JERA, Kansai Electric, Kyushu Electric, Osaka Gas, Toho Gas, and Tokyo Gas.
Woodside may veto Inpex’s Browse deal over NSW LNG threat
Woodside is considering using its pre-emptive rights to veto Inpex’s farm-in to the Browse joint venture, as this move threatens to undermine feedgas supply for its North-West Shelf LNG export terminal. The deal is seen as a catalyst to shift Browse gas production away from the NWS LNG hub towards Inpex’s Ichthys LNG train in Darwin.
LNG market fundamentals bearish despite Trump’s election win
Global LNG markets have been pretty unphased by last week’s US election results: near-term demand fundamentals are net bearish as traders await the onset of more severe winter weather. Looking at Q1-2025, uncertainty abounds with regards to Egypt’s LNG demand due to insufficient domestic gas production and escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Australians say China has struggled to handle high LNG inventories and coronavirus effects
Australian liquefied natural gas shipments have numbered 103 cargoes in the past month and were not affected by the surplus of LNG globally nor by the disruption to trade from the coronavirus, though signs are emerging of some disruption expected in February March.
LNG importer Tokyo Gas acquires more US shale gas assets in East Texas and Louisiana
Japanese LNG importer Tokyo Gas has acquired more US shale gas assets in East Texas and Louisiana after closing a transaction with a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell.
