Japanese Firm Signs Alaska LNG Deal

Alaska Governor Bill Walker Tuesday signed an agreement with Japan’s Resources Energy, Inc to form a partnership in developing Alaska's liquefied natural gas (LNG) market.

“This agreement is an extension of Alaska’s longstanding partnership with Japan in energy markets,” Walker said adding it is an important step forward in securing Alaska’s energy future.

Resources Energy, Inc. is the American branch of Energy Resources, Inc. a Japanese company. REI was formed to explore the possibility of purchasing natural gas from Alaska and to build liquefaction facilities in order to export LNG to Japan.

REI has contacted many Japanese governmental and private organizations that also want to buy gas from Alaska, Governor’s office said in a statement. REI is also working on a smaller LNG project in Cook Inlet to begin deliveries by 2020.

The state will work with REI on this project through a coordinated permitting system and potential partial funding through the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA).