Former US FERC, DOE official touts LNG imports from Africa

Washington (Platts)--30Mar2004

Noting that US dependence on liquefied natural gas is expected to grow, former
Dept. of Energy official Vicky Bailey told the Natural Gas Roundtable Tuesday
that LNG imports from African countries such as Nigeria, Angola and Equatorial
Guinea could help fill in the gaps in the supply picture. Several gas-rich
countries in Africa "hold great promise" and "could provide a tremendous
opportunity," she said, stressing that the US must develop a diverse portfolio
of energy supplies. 

A former Federal Energy Regulatory Commission member as well, Bailey urged
energy companies to consider investing in new countries in Africa, noting that
DOE and the Bush administration are "very committed to" creating an investing
climate for trade there. While some political risks exist in several countries
in Africa, those same risks exist in countries in which US companies already
invest, she said, pointing to Russia as an example.

This story was first published in Platts real-time news and market reporting
service Platts Natural Gas Alert (http://www.platts.com/Natural Gas/Real-Time
Information/Natural Gas Alert/ ).

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