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Page added on November 5, 2012
Japan plans gas pipeline from Russia
Three Japanese firms are planning an 870-mile-long, offshore pipeline to bring natural gas from Russia’s Sakhalin Island, the Asahi Shimbun reported Monday.
When completed in five to seven years, the pipeline, estimated to cost up to $5 billion, would substantially reduce procurement cost, sources told the newspaper. It would link Sakhalin Island with the Tokyo metropolitan area, running through Hokkaido and along the Pacific coast of Japan’s mainland, the newspaper said.
Demand for natural gas has been rising as Japan cuts its reliance on nuclear power as a result of the earthquake-triggered March 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant disaster.
The three companies — Tokyo Gas Co., Japan Petroleum Exploration Co. and Nippon Steel & Sumikin Engineering Co. — have completed a preliminary feasibility study for the pipeline project, sources told the Asahi Shimbun.
The report said a detailed survey and successful negotiations with local governments need to be completed before the project can proceed.
The consortium companies already have outlined the project to Exxon Mobil Corp., which owns an interest in the Sakhalin I oil and gas development project, and government ministries concerned, the report said.
The participating companies also plan to seek participation from electric power companies in the project as the imported gas is expected to be less expensive that liquefied natural gas imported by ships.
The Japanese government also has plans to import LNG from Russia’s Vladivostok.
8 Comments on "Japan plans gas pipeline from Russia"
BillT on Mon, 5th Nov 2012 11:47 am
And there goes more of Japan’s nuclear plants. Russia loves it.
Arthur on Mon, 5th Nov 2012 12:44 pm
Yeah, let Russia enjoy their party for a decade or so.
DC on Mon, 5th Nov 2012 1:38 pm
Wonder if Russia selling gas to Japan will get the US as upset as do the sales to the Eurozone? Yea probably, the US more reasons to cause Russia trouble. But I see Exxons got there grubby mitts on this deal. Maybe they will tell the attack dogs this deal has capitalisms seal of approval.
Kenz300 on Mon, 5th Nov 2012 2:20 pm
Every country needs to develop a plan to become more energy self sufficient.
Relying on Russia will help to diversify sources of energy and also diversification away from nuclear energy but it does nothing for greater self sufficiency.
Wind, solar, wave energy, geothermal and second generation biofuels made from algae, cellulose and waste can all increase energy self sufficiency. Japan needs to generate local energy and produce local jobs.
BillT on Mon, 5th Nov 2012 3:47 pm
Kenz, I hate to burst your bubble but…renewables are NOT going to replace even a significant percentage of the Carbon based energy sources or nuclear. Nuclear is not renewable, and is being phased out by intelligent countries.
Have you flown over Japan lately? I have. There are a large number of wind generators there already. I did not look for solar, but I am sure that is also included. They live on a volcanic island chain. Yes, they have some geothermal, but not enough. Japan will eventually turn away from the US and partner with Russia and China.
Isn’t it interesting that the country that Reagan claimed to have defeated is now the largest oil producer in the world, and has one of the largest natural gas reserves also? Russia has Europe by the throat and Germany is moving towards Russia and away from the US.
GregT on Mon, 5th Nov 2012 5:06 pm
Increase energy self sufficiency, perhaps. Create energy independence, not so much.
Rick on Tue, 6th Nov 2012 12:48 am
@ BillT
Less nukes are a good thing. Though the more articles I see posted on this site, the it becomes clear, the world is in the desperation mode. But, you and I know that.
WTF, another pipeline, and in a major earthquake zone.
Again, the root cause, to all the world problems, is to many fucking people!
Climate change should start to take of that issue, Peak Oil too, and just plain stupidity.
Arthur on Tue, 6th Nov 2012 8:26 am
Btw the pipeline is not yet decided upon, just talks/plans.