Japan Hopes for Early Start of Canadian LNG Exports

Japan is hopeful Canada will begin exporting LNG at the earliest.

The two countries discussed the issue before the start of G7 summit in Hiroshima. Japanese foreign minister Fumio Kishida met with his Canadian counterpart Stephane Dion to request for early environmental clearance to LNG projects in Canada, Japan’s foreign ministry said in a statement Saturday. The G7 summit will begin on Sunday.  

Petronas backed Pacific Northwest LNG project, in while Japanese companies hold stake, has been delayed due to lack of environmental clearance. Petronas, Sinopec, JAPEX, Indian Oil Corporation, PetroleumBRUNEI and Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company (MGC) are all shareholders in the Canadian LNG project.

Last month, the project got further delayed when Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency was granted a three-month extension to complete the study. Petronas and its partners have been waiting nearly three years for a permit to build the $28 billion LNG facility in northern British Columbia.