Shell's bid to stave off Japan energy crisis after tsunami

With LNG capacity set to increase, Shell is guaranteeing supply to disaster-hit Japan

Shell is preparing to divert LNG cargoes to Japan as the country's government attempts to head off an expected energy shortage in the wake of last month's devastating tsunami and subsequent nuclear crisis. Speaking last month, chief executive Peter Voser said: "We are looking into the possibilities that we have across the world to supply low-sulphur fuel oil and LNG [to Japan]." Shell is the world's largest LNG producer; Japan the biggest consumer. "We are looking at ... diverting as many LNG cargoes to Japan as we can. Later, if it is needed, we will not only divert, but get firmer kinds of contracts for Japan," said Voser. He warned it was still too early to speculate on long-term conseque