China on Trinidad gas export radar

In its continuing quest to find new gas export markets after having lost its principal offtaker, the US, the government of Trinidad and Tobago looks to build up its presence in Asia, in particular China.

"China is an emerging LNG market, and its efforts in using cleaner fuels to mitigate carbon dioxide emissions and significantly reduce air pollution in cities have led to growth in natural gas imports and the use of small scale LNG," according to the Caribbean nation's energy ministry.

The ministry highlights the Asian giant's plans to increase gas use to 10% from 6% of its energy consumption by 2020.

Scoping opportunities to increase Trinidad gas' participation in China will be high on minister Franklin Khan's agenda during his participation at the 19th International Conference and Exhibition on Liquefied Natural Gas which will be held in Shanghai in the coming days.

This week, Khan met with Chinese ambassador Song Yumin to discuss sector cooperation ahead of the China trip.

THE NUMBERS

BP's latest world energy statistical review shows that shipments of LNG to China accounted for less than 1.5% of Trinidad's exports of the fuel in 2017.

The bulk of Trinidad LNG that year went to Chile (26%) and other Latin American countries (18.7%).

The US, which had been Trinidad's principal gas export destination until the rapid growth of shale gas in that market, imported 11.9Bf3 of Trinidad LNG in December versus a peak of 61.9Bf3 in July 2007, according to the US Energy Information Agency.

Trinidad LNG production comes from Atlantic's four-train liquefaction facility with total capacity of 15Mt/y. On March 17, the company heralded its 4,000th LNG cargo, which was lifted onto the Gemmata vessel (pictured).