APLNG Seeks East Coast Oz Buyers

Australia Pacific LNG (APLNG) is calling for expressions of interest from Australian gas users for new sales in 2019 after so far committing more than 200 petajoules to the country’s tight east coast gas market for 2018, the company said April 24.

“This year APLNG is on track to supply the equivalent of around 30% of Australia’s east coast gas market demand,” APLNG CEO Warwick King said. “APLNG continues to be a leading supplier to the domestic market by bringing meaningful volumes of new supply to customers in Australia,” he added.

The expression of interest has been sent to gas users across eastern Australia including selected power generators, commercial and industrial customers, and retailers who purchase gas for distribution, and which represent the bulk of the wholesale market for gas, APLNG said.

King said that while the expression of interest is specific to 2019, APLNG is also requesting buyers to express their indicative interest for future gas supply from 2020 to mid-2023.

Last year, Australia’s federal government pressured the country’s east coast LNG exporters to ensure there was sufficient domestic supply with threats of limiting volumes that they could ship to higher-paying markets.

APLNG’s domestic portfolio comprises long term contracts for around 1,300 PJ committed to Australian customers. The contracts go beyond 2025, some lasting until 2040.