(Feb 3): Some of the liquefied natural gas industry’s biggest companies are skipping a key conference in Qatar as regional security concerns persist amid US-Iran nuclear talks anticipated this week.
Several Japanese buyers opted not to take part. Tokyo Gas Co decided not to attend the LNG 2026 conference taking place in Doha due to safety considerations, according to the company spokesperson on Monday (Feb 2). Osaka Gas Co and Saibu Gas Holdings Co made the same decision for similar reasons, company spokespeople said.
US President Donald Trump said he anticipates talks with Iran in the coming days while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian ordered negotiations with Washington to begin “within the framework of the nuclear issue”. The moves underscore broader international efforts to ease tensions in the Middle East as Trump warns of possible military action if Tehran fails to reach an agreement to curb its nuclear programme.
The LNG industry gathering is scheduled for Feb 2-5, with about 16,000 trade visitors and 4,000 conference delegates expected, according to the event’s website. Speakers include Jera Co global CEO and chair Yukio Kani, QatarEnergy president Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi and executives from oil majors like ExxonMobil Corp, Shell plc and ConocoPhillips.
Several European LNG importers, along with at least one supplier, will not attend the conference or are sending smaller delegations, according to people with knowledge of the matter.
Commonwealth LNG, which is developing a US export project, cancelled its reception during the conference and cut back on its delegates, the people said, who asked not to be named as they aren’t authorised to speak to the media. The company declined to comment.
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Venture Global Inc, a major US LNG supplier, will have a reduced presence at the conference “due to security concerns in the region and out of an abundance of caution”, it said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Japan’s biggest utility Jera is postponing or cancelling non-essential travel to the Middle East as a general rule, with safety measures to be put in place should any travel occur, a spokesperson said. Japanese trading house Sumitomo Corp is attending the conference but has reduced the size of its delegation due to safety concerns, according to a spokesperson.
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