11 June 2012, Sweetcrude, Doha – Qatar Qatargas Operating Company Limited (Qatargas) has achieved another milestone today as Qatar Liquefied Gas Company Limited (Qatargas 1) enters into a new long-term LNG Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA) with the largest Japanese LNG buyer, Tokyo Electric Power Company, Incorporated (TEPCO).
The agreement was signed by His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Bin Saleh Al-Sada, Minister of Energy and Industry and Chairman of the Board of Qatargas, in the presence of Mr.Takao Arai, Managing Director of TEPCO., in a ceremony held in Doha.
This is the first long-term bilateral agreement between TEPCO and Qatargas. Under the terms of the agreement, Qatargas 1 will deliver 1.0 million tonnes per annum (MTA) of LNG on a long-term basis starting from 2012.
TEPCO is one of the original eight Japanese buyers who signed a multi-party contract with the Qatargas 1 venture back in 1994, and Qatargas first began delivering LNG to Japan and TEPCO in 1997, with the start-up of the Qatargas 1 Project.
Japan is one of the biggest importers of LNG and this announcement marks the continued partnership between the State of Qatar and Japan since diplomatic relations started 40 years ago.
“This agreement is consistent with the vision of His Highness the Emir, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, for the State of Qatar to contribute towards global energy security. As the largest LNG-producing company in the world, Qatargas is committed to providing reliable energy supplies to all four corners of the world. Today’s agreement reinforces our strong relationship with one of Qatargas’ foundation customers and demonstrates our continued long-term commitment to supply LNG to Japan. We are doing all we can to support Japan’s continuous requirement for stable energy supplies,” H.E. Dr. Al-Sada said.
Khalid Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Qatargas Chief Executive Officer said: “This agreement is further testimony of our long-term reliable commitment to Japan and reinforces Qatargas’ global reputation as a safe and reliable supplier of LNG. Qatargas’ relationship with TEPCO goes as far back as 1994 when we signed an agreement with a consortium of Japanese buyers including TEPCO. Today, we are very pleased to add a new chapter to our long and fruitful partnership.”
Mr. Takao Arai, Managing Director, TEPCO, added: “Having continuously been provided with the smooth and stable delivery from Qatargas since its first cargo received, we are confident that today’s execution of the contract between Qatargas, the world’s largest LNG supplier, and TEPCO has further deepened the good relationship between the two companies and will greatly contribute to our future stable procurement of LNG”.
Under this new agreement together with existing arrangements, Qatargas will supply approximately 2 million tonnes of LNG to TEPCO in 2012 (i.e. 5% of Qatargas’ total production capacity).
About Qatargas
Qatargas was established in 1984, and pioneered the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) industry in Qatar. Shareholders of Qatargas 1 joint venture are Qatar Petroleum, ExxonMobil, Total, Mitsui and Marubeni. Qatargas 1 joint venture signed a long term LNG Sales and Purchase Agreement with Chubu Electric Power Company in 1992.
Qatargas 1 joint venture signed another long term LNG Sales and Agreement with Tohoku Electric Power Company, The Tokyo Electric Power Company, the Kansai Electric Power Company, The Chugoku Electric Power Company, Tokyo Gas Company, Osaka Gas Company Toho Gas Company and Chubu Electric Power Company in 1994. Since the establishment of Qatargas 1 joint venture, Qatargas has completed a successful expansion programme that has included the development of Qatargas 2, Qatargas 3 and Qatargas 4 projects; Laffan Refinery, a dedicated fleet of ships, and an LNG Receiving Terminal. With seven LNG trains, of which four are the largest in the world – known as mega trains – each with a production capacity of 7.8 MTA, Qatargas, has become the largest LNG producing company in the world, with an annual LNG production capacity of 42 million tonnes per annum (MTA).
Qatargas has sold LNG in excess of a total of 7 million tonnes annually on a term basis to Japan from all its ventures. And in the aftermath of the tsunami in March 2011, Qatargas increased its sales commitment to Japan with an incremental 9 million tonnes.
