Qatargas raises exports to Japan

Qatargas is helping its Japanese customers by supplying more than 20mn tonnes of LNG in the short term to help them tide over the crisis following last year’s earthquake in the country. In addition to the 9mn tonnes of short-term supplies to Japan announced last autumn, Qatargas exports have increased by another 11mn tonnes. These volumes are in addition to the several new long-term LNG supply agreements reached between Qatargas and its Japanese customers over the last 12 months. “This is a substantial commitment to the energy security of Japan and is evidence of the strong relationship Qatargas enjoys with its Japanese stakeholders, the company said.” Qatargas chief executive officer Khalid bin Khalifa al-Thani said: “We are demonstrating one of our fundamental marketing principles that Qatargas sells LNG to where it is needed the most. As of now, Qatargas, the world’s largest LNG producer, has delivered LNG to some 21 countries, with planned sales to several more in future. “As we aspire to be the world’s premier LNG company, we seek to maintain the highest standards of safety, reliability and integrity whilst offering our customers the required flexibility to meet their operational requirements.” Qatargas has long-term commitments to deliver approximately 13mn tonnes per year to its term buyers in Japan and China. Qatargas said it would continue to support the Asia-Pacific LNG market place and anticipates the conclusion of more SPAs in the future. Established in 1984, Qatargas pioneered the LNG industry in Qatar. Currently, Qatargas is the largest liquefied natural gas producer in the world with a production capacity of 42mn tonnes a year of LNG, delivering LNG to customers all over the world. Qatargas has seven LNG trains, of which four are the largest in the world – known as mega trains – each with a production capacity of 7.8mn tonnes per year. Since the establishment of Qatargas 1, it has completed a successful expansion programme that has included the development of Qatargas 2, Qatargas 3 and Qatargas 4 projects; the Laffan Refinery, a dedicated fleet of ships, and an LNG receiving terminal. From gulf times.