ConocoPhillips Resumes Exports from Alaska LNG Plant

ConocoPhillips has resumed the export of LNG to Asia from its Kenai plant in Alaska, Reuters reported, citing the company’s spokeswoman Natalie Lowman.

The company expects to deliver four to five cargoes to Japan this year and one shipment was sent to Japan last month, she said.

In 2011, ConocoPhillips announced plans to close the plant, citing failure to sign a shipping contract with the Tokyo utilities and difficulties in securing natural gas supplies from the mature Cook Inlet basin.

“It’s too early to speculate on what might happen after 2012, but all potential uses for the plant depend on local needs, the volume of Cook Inlet natural gas production, or the availability of a natural gas via a pipeline from the North Slope to Southcentral Alaska,” the company’s spokeswoman said

The 1.5 MTPA Kenai Alaska LNG plant, started up in 1969 and has achieved over 40 years of uninterrupted supply to Japanese customers.

Kenai was the world’s largest plant when built, the first to serve the Asia-Pacific market, and the first to use gas fired turbines for process refrigeration.

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LNG World News Staff, June 14, 2012; Image: Conoco