Gorgon and Wheatstone LNG’s Japan Buyers told Supply Unaffected by Strike

At least one Japanese buyer from Wheatstone and Gorgon LNG facilities in Australia was informed by sellers that their supply isn’t affected by the ongoing industrial action, according to Platts.

• "We have been told by the sellers that LNG supply will not be affected from the full-scale strike from Sept. 14," a source told Platts, adding that the buyer was yet to take any steps to secure alternative supply.
• A Northeast Asian LNG importer also told Platts that said Japanese buyers are reluctant to source possible alternatives to Australian cargoes, instead minimizing their optimization activity and planning to use their own assets to manage for winter.
• Current strikes are causing stoppages of 7-11 hours/day. Going forward, the planned strike escalation to 24 hours/day this Thursday will increase the risk of supply outages.
• Japanese LNG lifting volumes account for 30% of Gorgon output and 83% of Wheatstone output, according to S&P Global.