Japanese Firm to Major LNG Terminal

Japanese firm Inpex Holdings Inc. said Thursday it is studying a plan to set up a major liquefied natural gas import terminal in Niigata Prefecture.

The company is apparently considering such a move in light of the need to secure a reliable supply of eco-friendly LNG amid the rise of China and other emerging markets, which has contributed to tightening energy supply worldwide, industry observers said.

LNG is now in greater demand across the world because it emits less greenhouse gas than petroleum.

Inpex is planning to develop gas fields in Australia and Indonesia in the next decade.

Plans under consideration seek to build the terminal at Naoetsu port in the city of Joetsu to store imported gas for sale to Tokyo and other areas where demand is high.

The facility would complete Inpex's integrated LNG supply system from gas field development through sales to end-users, The Japan Times reported.