No definitive buyers yet for Sempra-diverted LNG

By Godang Sitompul

Upstream authority BPMIGAS said it has yet to find buyers for four cargoes of LNG supposed to be shipped from the Tangguh LNG plant in West Papua to American buyer Sempra Energy.

?We are still in process of selling the four cargoes of Sempra LNG. We are still looking for buyers,? BPMIGAS? Head R. Priyono told Petromindo.com.

Tangguh has long-term contract to sell 3.7 million tons per annum of LNG to Sempra. But earlier this year, BP Plc, the operator of Tangguh, and Sempra reached an agreement that allows the former to divert 54 cargoes out of 60 cargoes intended to be shipped this year to Sempra?s Costa Azul LNG receiving terminal in Mexico.

On September 11, 2012, Head of Oil and Gas Monetization Unit at BPMIGAS Popi Ahmad Nafis told Petromindo.com that four companies from three countries will get four Sempra LNG cargoes, namely Petronas (Malaysia), Tepco (Japan), Kogas and SK Korea (South Korea).

If Priyono?s statement is any guide, there aren?t yet any deals with the four companies.

Editing by Johannes Simbolon