Toho Gas is the second of the project’s original Japanese customers to renew its long-term LNG supply requirements with the NWS Venture, after Chugoku Electric signed a contract last month to be supplied with 1.2-1.4 million tonnes of LNG per annum.

Toho Gas executive vice president Masashi Hasegawa signed the agreement today with Woodside chief operating officer Keith Spence, as well as senior representatives from the other NWS participant companies.

The new agreement will triple Toho Gas’ original deal with the venture.

“The North West Shelf Venture began LNG deliveries to Toho’s Chita LNG terminal in September 1989 and since that time, have delivered more than 4 million tonnes of LNG to Toho,” Woodside North West Shelf Venture director Dr Jack Hamilton said.

“We look forward to continuing to deliver a safe and reliable supply of LNG from our expanded LNG processing facilities at Karratha in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.”

Based in Nagoya, Toho Gas is the third-largest gas provider in Japan, after Tokyo Gas and Osaka Gas.

Toho Gas manufactures gas at three facilities – the Chita LNG terminal, the Yokkaichi works and the Chita-Midorihama works. Its gas distribution network in Japan includes a 25,000km pipeline network.

The six equal participants in the NWS Venture are Woodside Energy (operator); BHP Billiton (North West Shelf); BP Developments Australia; Chevron Australia; Japan Australia LNG (MIMI) and Shell Development (Australia).

CNOOC NWS is also a member of the NWS Venture but does not have an interest in NWS Venture infrastructure.