U.S.-Japan Venture Sparks LNG Interest in Alaska

President Trump announced a potential U.S.-Japan joint venture for an LNG project in Alaska, though Japanese officials are unaware of any such plans. The $44 billion project involves an 800-mile pipeline to a liquefaction plant. Japanese companies expressed interest, but require further details and cost assessments.

U.S. President Donald Trump revealed on Tuesday that a joint venture between the United States and Japan might be underway to develop a liquefied natural gas project in Alaska. However, a Japanese government official expressed a lack of awareness regarding any such plans.

Clarification on whether Trump specifically referred to the $44 billion Alaska LNG project remains uncertain. This intended project includes an 800-mile pipeline transporting gas to a liquefaction plant for future export. Trump's announcement occurred during a conversation with lawmakers at the White House, addressing his trade agreement with Japan.

Several Japanese companies, along with Thailand's PTT and India's GAIL, have shown interest in purchasing LNG from the project. Despite this, responses from Japanese companies like JERA and Tokyo Gas indicated they were unaware of any joint venture details in Alaska and needed to further evaluate costs.

(With inputs from agencies.)