Regional LNG: Taiwan LNG import seen to increase in 2004

Taiwan is expected to increase LNG import from Indonesia and Malaysia in 2004, with the country?s sole LNG importer - Chinese Petroleum Corp. (CPC) seen to raise- imports from Indonesia and Malaysia by about 14%, or 800,000 tons, to 6.45 million tons, a CPC official was quoted by agency as saying Monday.

The official was quoted as saying that the increase in import would be necessary to cater new demand from Taiwan?s new IPPs that are expected to commence operations next year, while LNG demand by Taiwan?s biggest electricity firm Taipower seen to only marginally increase to 3.25 tons from 3.23 tons this year.(*)