Pertamina plans LNG import from US, Africa

State-owned oil and gas company PT Pertamina plans to import up to 2 million tons per year of LNG from the US and Africa to meet growing domestic demand, reports said on Tuesday.

Pertamina Gas Director Hari Karyuliarto was quoted by Investor Daily as saying that the imported LNG will be processed at its Arun regasification plant. ?There are plans (to import LNG) from Africa and the US. From the two regions, we hope to get 1-2 million tons,? Hari said.

Hari said that an LNG import contract with one of the two countries was expected to be signed this year, in the hope that LNG shipment could begin in 2018.

To help meet domestic demand, Pertamina needs to at least 3 million tons per year of additional LNG supply.

The company has earlier signed a sale and purchase agreement with US? Cheniere Energy for the supply of 0.8 million tons of LNG per year for a 20-year period starting 2018. The LNG will be delivered to the Arun plant and the Central Java FSRU.

Pertamina needs to import LNG to meet growing domestic demand which is projected to increase by 3.9 percent to 7.2 billion cubic feet per day in 2025, Investor Daily said. (*)