jffree - By the looks of it, Russia will just redirect shipments to Asia, which probably includes China. The US has kind of slapped China's hand for getting into the Darfur cookie jar, but Russia is willing to give them their cookies. Guess who may get called the "meany" here? Guess who's probably going to be the new BFF?
The balance of power between these 3 countries is precarious. Not saying we should cave to the demands of either one, but I don't think our LNG imports really amounted to a hill of beans in the big scheme of it all. Maybe better to foster a little BFFing of our own with Russia?
Sesport, you are spot on about Russia targetting Asia for LNG. The majority of their current exports from Sakhalin LNG are already committed to Japan and they plan to expand the plant in the future.
In the past week several liquified natural gas tankers headed for U.S. ports have either been delayed until next month or redirected to Asian markets, notes the weekly update from WaterBorne Energy.
One tanker slated to arrive at Sabine Pass on January 18th has been redirected to China from Nigeria. Another tanker, the "Mesaimeer", which was previously expected to arrive in late January at Sabine Pass from Qatar, has slipped into early February while another cargo - this one from Egypt - that had been expected to deliver at Elba Island at the end of January is now heading to Asia on the "Clean Energy".
Combined with a few last minute additions -- BG tanker Seri Ayu likely delivery to Elba Island around the 16th of January; BG's Methane Jane Elizabeth is expected to discharge at Elba Island around the 20th of January -- puts current January import estimate 62.73 bcf.
"ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Dec 6 (Reuters) - A bid from Chinese energy giant Sinopec (SNP.N) (0386.HK) to build an Alaska natural gas export project is drawing fire from politicians and activists that analysts say could leave it dead in the water."
Okay, now, how many other LNG export plants does that leave us now?
80)
It's okay for the U.S. to borrow money from China, burying our future in mounting debt, but not to help our economy recover by selling natural gas to them?
Who could argue with that logic?
Sesport, LNG exports from Alaska make a lot of practical sense but it may never happen due to the political hurdles. The other proposed North American project (Kitimat LNG - Canada) has a much higher probability of occurring due to the recent 51% purchase by Apache.