GDF Suez reveals huge US LNG deal with Japanese firms

French energy group GDF Suez has signed a joint-venture with US firm Sempra Energy and Japanese groups Mitsubishi and Mitsui relating to the construction of a huge liquefied natural gas factory in the United States, it said on Friday.
The deputy managing director responsible for gas operations at GDF Suez, Jean-Marie Dauger, said that "the Cameron LNG project will enable the group to diversify and increase its LNG (liquefied natural gas) interests and also its flexibility in supplying existing and future markets in zones of strong growth."
GDF Suez says that it is the biggest importer of LNG in Europe and the third biggest in the world, accounting for 16.0 million tonnes per year from six countries. The company operates six tankers built to carry methane gas. The development of LNG gas facilities generally, together with the boom in exploitation of shale gas in North America, are two big developments in global energy markets.