Alaska Dispatch: New Asian interest in Alaska LNG

Alaska's effort to develop the largest natural gas field in North America is basking in a burst of sudden attention from potential Asian buyers and investors, says a key state official.

The interest follows the Parnell administration's decision to tout the benefits a large-scale liquefied natural gas project in Alaska could mean to governments and utilities in Asia. Gov. Sean Parnell and Natural Resources Commissioner Dan Sullivan traveled separately to the continent in September to demonstrate to officials how the North Slope gas field can help meet growing demand in countries such as South Korea or Japan.

Entities such as Korean Gas Corp. (KOGAS), the world's largest buyer of liquefied natural gas, are continuing the dance with the state. They have requested follow-up meetings and more data, and in some cases accepted the administration's invitation to visit Alaska to learn more. MORE