Japan Utility Mulls LNG Trade

摘要

Japanese utility Chubu Electric Power is thinking of diversifying into LNG trading as the market develops more liquidity, a top official said Tuesday. Katsuji Noda, president of Chubu Energy Trading, told Dow Jones Newswires that LNG trading will not occur in the near future because of destination clauses in existing term contracts, but "there is a chance" LNG buyers will gain more flexibility "at a time when supply is slack," as now. Chubu uses about 10 million tons/yr of LNG, or roughly 15% of Japan's total imports last year.