GLNG: Japan looks to Qatar for LNG in effort to diversify supply

Facing growing energy security concerns, Japanese natural gas buyers are in discussions on new LNG supply contracts with Qatar. With Qatar increasing output, a handful of Japanese companies are seeking to secure long-term supply contracts for the super-chilled fuel Bloomberg reported on July 6.

For Japanese LNG importers it marks a shift from recent strategy. LNG buyers from the East Asian country have not signed a new contract with Qatar since 2014 as Japan had pivoted towards buying the super-chilled fuel from more flexible exporters.

Qatar has earned a reputation within the sector for structuring some of the most rigid supply contracts, which typically do not allow for easy resale or diversion to third-party countries if the shipment is not needed.