Tokyo Gas Keen To Set Up Philippines LNG Facility

Tokyo Gas is interested in setting up an LNG facility in Batangas through state-owned Philippine National Oil Company, Manila Standard quoted country’s energy secretary Alfonso Cusi as saying December 2.

“PNOC is studying putting up LNG receiving stations in Batangas. That’s where these Japanese investors are looking at,” he said. Cusi recently visited Japan and has asked PNOC to conduct a study on the feasibility of putting up an LNG terminal and power plant in Batangas, the newspaper added. He said that Philippines is keen to take advantage of low LNG prices. 

Tokyo Gas has been very active in the fast-growing southeast Asian market as it is keen to capitalise on the expected growth in the LNG markets in region. Southeast Asia is expected to see one of the faster growth rates in LNG consumption in next decade.  Recently, Tokyo Gas and Petronas LNG October signed a memorandum of collaboration to co-operate more in the global energy space, especially southeast Asia, Atlantic, and Pacific Basins. In August, Tokyo Gas formed LNG Vietnam in collaboration with Petrovietnam Gas and Bitexco. The Japanese utility also picked up stake in in a Thai gas fired power plant.

Issue 8 of Natural Gas World magazine published last week indicated there is wider interest in developing an LNG import terminal at Batangas.

 Shardul Sharma