Coleman talks up BC’s LNG prospects in Japan

British Columbia’s minister of natural gas development Rich Coleman recently returned from Japan where he held talks with a number of companies interested in BC’s LNG potential. 

Coleman held talks with Japan Petroleum Exploration (Japex), a company holding a 10 percent equity interest in Progress Energy’s exploration activities in northeast B.C., as well as the Pacific Northwest LNG facility.

He also met with representatives from Mitsubishi Corporation, a co-venture partner in LNG Canada, Inpex and JGC that are evaluating Digby Island as possible location for the Aurora LNG project and Idemitsu which has already partnered with AltaGas on evaluating Kitimat or Prince Rupert for an export facility.

Additionally, Coleman held talks with Jera, Mitsui & Co, Jogmec and Canada’s Ambassador to Japan, Mackenzie Clugston, to discuss B.C.’s LNG development and international profile.

Japan, the world’s largest importer of the chilled gas is looking to diversify its energy portfolio.

Osamu Watanabe, president, Japex, said projects like Pacific NorthWest LNG could provide security and sought diversification of natural gas supply for Japan.

On the other hand, Coleman believes ties with Japanese companies could attract investment and spur the development of British Columbia’s natural gas sector.

LNG World News Staff