Total Takes Over Toshiba's U.S. LNG Biz

French energy giant Total takes over the liquefied natural gas business of Japanese outfit Toshiba's Freeport LNG train tolling agreement and gains $800 million.

The French oil and gas company will is paying $15 million for the shares in the Texan assets, the firms said. Toshiba will also pay Total $815 million to take over all the contracts linked to the business, Total added.

"It includes a 20-year tolling agreement for 2.2 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of LNG from Freeport LNG train 3 in Texas and the corresponding gas transportation agreements on the pipelines feeding the terminal. Train 3 of the Freeport LNG plant is expected to start commercial operations by Q2 2020," said a press release.

“The takeover of Toshiba’s LNG portfolio is in line with Total’s strategy to become a major LNG portfolio player. Adding 2.2 Mtpa of LNG to our existing positions in the US, in particular Cameron LNG, will enable optimizations of the supply and operations of these LNG sources,” commented Philippe Sauquet, President Gas, Renewables and Power at Total.

“Already an integrated player in the US gas market, Total is set to become one of the leading US LNG exporters by 2020 with a 7 Mtpa portfolio,” he added.

The proposed transaction is subject to the applicable legally required approvals by the regulatory authorities and partners. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2019.

Total is the second-largest private global LNG player, with an overall LNG portfolio of around 40 Mtpa by 2020 and a worldwide market share of 10%. With 21.8 million tonnes of LNG sold in 2018, the Group has solid and diversified positions across the LNG value chain.

Through its stakes in liquefaction plants located in Qatar, Nigeria, Russia, Norway, Oman, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Australia, Angola and Yemen, the Group sells LNG in all global markets.