Economics Thailand Considers Importing Up to 5 Million Tonnes of LNG Annually from Alaska

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

 

The Ministry of Energy has confirmed it is exploring the possibility of importing between 2 and 5 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) annually, with a new supply option emerging from Alaska in the United States.

 

Speaking on Monday, Deputy Permanent Secretary and ministry spokesperson, Veerapat Kiatfuengfoo, said the move is aimed at ensuring long-term energy security and price stability for the country. He explained that Thailand currently relies on natural gas for over 58% of its electricity generation, with domestic supply from the Gulf of Thailand only able to meet around 60% of demand, a figure expected to decline further in the coming years.

 

“The Alaskan LNG source is commercially viable and strategically located. It offers a way to diversify our energy imports, reduce dependency on any single region and secure lower-cost supplies,” Veerapat said.

 

The Alaska LNG project, based in the North Slope region, holds more than 40 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves and is expected to produce over 20 million tonnes of LNG annually beginning in 2028, with supply expected to continue for up to 80 years. The total investment in the project is valued at over US$44 billion.

 

Veerapat noted that LNG shipments from Alaska could reach Thailand in just 10 to 15 days, significantly quicker than the 20 to 35 days typically required for shipments from the Middle East. The shorter delivery time, coupled with lower production costs and competitive pricing, makes Alaska an attractive new supply option.

 

The project, which is nearing final investment decision status, has garnered international interest from countries such as Japan, Taiwan and South Korea. It also includes state-of-the-art environmental and safety measures, including carbon capture and storage technology in its production process.

 

Veerapat emphasised that price is a key consideration in any LNG procurement, as it directly affects electricity prices in Thailand. Lower fuel costs would help maintain affordable power rates for consumers while also encouraging foreign investment, particularly in high-tech sectors such as electric vehicles, artificial intelligence, cloud services and data centre expansion.

 

“Alaska LNG is a promising alternative. It offers competitive pricing, shorter transit times, and greater supply diversity,” he said, adding that Thai LNG shippers are currently in detailed negotiations to assess the commercial viability of importing from Alaska.

 

The final decision on import volumes will depend on ongoing discussions, including pricing and contractual terms. The Ministry of Energy is actively evaluating the proposal as part of its broader strategy to strengthen national energy resilience.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-06-03.

 

 

 

 

 

[Banana7]

Thailand should also look at Canada. LNG Canada, on the west coast, phase 1 will begin shipping later this year. Multiple other LNG plants on Canada's west coast are currently  being built or are under consideration, and will be built far before anything emerges from Alaska. Phase 2 is looking for new customers.

 

During winter, lots of icebergs near Alaska's port that can delay shipping.

[gargamon]

1 hour ago, Banana7 said:

Thailand should also look at Canada. LNG Canada, on the west coast, phase 1 will begin shipping later this year. Multiple other LNG plants on Canada's west coast are currently  being built or are under consideration, and will be built far before anything emerges from Alaska. Phase 2 is looking for new customers.

 

During winter, lots of icebergs near Alaska's port that can delay shipping.

Plus they wouldn't need to deal with the orange buffoon and whatever remnants there are of the US when he's done with it.

[Pouatchee]

maybe trump's art of the deal is working?

[SLOWHAND225]

Our NG storage has been full for many years, we burn off so much its insane.  I doubt anyone can beat or even match our prices.

[Woke to Sounds]

1 hour ago, Banana7 said:

Thailand should also look at Canada. LNG Canada, on the west coast, phase 1 will begin shipping later this year. Multiple other LNG plants on Canada's west coast are currently  being built or are under consideration, and will be built far before anything emerges from Alaska. Phase 2 is looking for new customers.

 

During winter, lots of icebergs near Alaska's port that can delay shipping.

 

That will never happen from Canada because of its disastrous Net Zero ideology.

 

Sorry Canada, you lose (again)

[dinsdale]

This should help in reducing the tariff level.  

[oxo1947]

1 hour ago, Pouatchee said:

maybe trump's art of the deal is working?

 

.....SSSsssshhhhh....................  The loony Left said it can't..............  

[EVENKEEL]

Just wondering where the LNG tankers I see at Maptaphut Pier in Rayong are from.

[John Drake]

How much is this? I didn't think LNG was measured in tons but in volume.

[FlorC]

Buy from Russia with discount.

[WorriedNoodle]

3 hours ago, dinsdale said:

This should help in reducing the tariff level.  

The art of the shakedown. Partnerships like this, who needs enemies?

[Moonlover]

43 minutes ago, John Drake said:

How much is this? I didn't think LNG was measured in tons but in volume.

 When in liquid form, LNG is commonly measured in metric tonnes. 

 

https://www.enerdynamics.com/Energy-Currents_Blog/Understanding-Liquefied-Natural-Gas-LNG-Units.aspx#:~:text=When in liquid form%2C LNG,of cubic feet (Bcf).

 

[dinsdale]

53 minutes ago, WorriedNoodle said:

The art of the shakedown. Partnerships like this, who needs enemies?

Of course it's a shakedown. Could never be a win-win could it? Let me guess as soon as you saw the story the 1st thing to pop in your brain was orange man bad. 

[dinsdale]

2 hours ago, EVENKEEL said:

Just wondering where the LNG tankers I see at Maptaphut Pier in Rayong are from.

Australia maybe.

[simon43]

IMHO,with the world in its current state of uncertainty, any and every country should plan for 100% production of its electrical supply, and not rely on any other country for the fuel or resource to create that electricity.

 

Thailand can supply 60% of its needs from its own natural gas.  What about solar power, tidal/wave power, nuclear, biomass? 

 

Don't be at the behest of another country who can increase resource prices and availability as they wish.

 

 

[NoDisplayName]

7 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

with a new supply option emerging from Alaska in the United States.

 

What LNG supply "emerging" from Alaska?

 

Trump administration is convinced massive Alaska energy project will find investors despite steep cost

 

• Alaska LNG has languished on the drawing board for years due its stratospheric price tag.
• Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum say they are confident the project will find investors.

Energy analysts, however, are skeptical of the project. Alaska LNG "doesn't have a clear cut commercial logic," Alex Munton, director of global gas and LNG research at Rapidan Energy, told CNBC in April.

"If it did, it would have had a lot more support than it has thus far, and this project has been on the planning board for literally decades," Munton said.

 

If they find investors, they can maybe get the project started, and build an 807-mile pipeline through the wilderness.  The projected time-frame is the early 2030's to get LNG to the Alaska market, and begin delivery to Asian markets a few years after that.

 

Assuming the current regime isn't replaced by democrats who may cancel the project, or assuming cost overruns don't blow the budget, or assuming environmental impacts don't delay the project.

 

It's more likely California will get their high-speed rail to nowhere running before Trumps latest whackadoodle announcement comes to fruityition.

[NoDisplayName]

16 minutes ago, simon43 said:

Don't be at the behest of another country who can increase resource prices and availability as they wish.

 

Or impose sanctions or tariffs on a whim.

[connda]

Break out the Golden Kneepads. 

[BKKKevin]

This LPG scheme will take at least three years and seven months of planning the infrastructure… 

[kickstart]

How things have changed, one time of day Thailand use to export gas, and for the then built power stations, built to use gas.

According to Google, Thailand still has 10 coal fired power staitons,9 of which are in privet hands ,you can see they will still be for used if gas gets to expensive, and they must be getting close to they use by date now.

 

[realfunster]

15 hours ago, Banana7 said:

Thailand should also look at Canada. LNG Canada, on the west coast, phase 1 will begin shipping later this year. Multiple other LNG plants on Canada's west coast are currently  being built or are under consideration, and will be built far before anything emerges from Alaska. Phase 2 is looking for new customers.

 

During winter, lots of icebergs near Alaska's port that can delay shipping.

 

Yep - but that wouldn't help reduce the trade surplus with the US would it.

I'm guessing that is part of the evaluation here.

 

 

[blaze master]

11 hours ago, FlorC said:

Buy from Russia with discount.

 

Europe doesn't mind their supply. 

[Banana7]

23 hours ago, Woke to Sounds said:

 

That will never happen from Canada because of its disastrous Net Zero ideology.

 

Sorry Canada, you lose (again)

See for yourself; https://www.lngcanada.ca/who-we-are/about-lng-canada/

 

LNG Canada will export Canadian natural gas to Asian markets, putting Canada on the global map of LNG exporting countries and creating a world-leading LNG industry in British Columbia and Canada. Using LNG from B.C. has the potential to greatly reduce those countries’ greenhouse gas emissions, resulting in significant net global greenhouse gas reductions while significantly improving air quality.

Through a combination of energy efficient natural gas turbines and renewable electricity from BC Hydro, our project will emit less than half the greenhouse gas emissions of the average LNG facility currently in operation.

LNG Canada operates in an environment of continuous and demonstrable improvement. We work with governments to develop innovative policy solutions that position B.C. and Canada as leaders in energy development, reconciliation and environmental stewardship.

 

Below photos are from November 2024

[Woke to Sounds]

2 hours ago, Banana7 said:

See for yourself; https://www.lngcanada.ca/who-we-are/about-lng-canada/

 

Yes I see it.

 

But I'll believe it when the Feds don't crush it because of allegiance to loony Net Zero.