Major LNG Players Skip Qatar Conference on Security Fears

Some of the liquefied natural gas industry’s biggest companies are skipping a key conference in Qatar due to fears that simmering US-Iran tensions could still erupt into a regional conflict.

Several buyers from Japan — the world’s second largest LNG importer — are opting not to take part because of safety concerns. Tokyo Gas Co. decided not to attend, according to the company spokesperson on Monday. Osaka Gas Co. and Saibu Gas Holdings Co. made the same decision for similar reasons, company spokespeople said.