The Korea Gas Corporation says that it will import two-point-eight million tons of shale gas from the U.S. a year over the next 20 years beginning from next month.
 
The corporation held a ceremony marking the transfer of shale gas by the U.S.’ Cheniere Energy in Louisiana on Sunday.
 
In 2012, the company signed a long-term contract to purchase liquefied natural gas with the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal owned by Cheniere Energy, making South Korea the first Asian country to bring in U.S. shale gas.
 
As a result, South Korea will import two-point-eight million tons of shale gas from the U.S. each year from 2017 to 2036. The first shipment will arrive in South Korea next month.
 
The Korea Gas Corporation expressed expectations that the import of U.S. shale gas will help diversify the nation’s Middle East-centered energy supply sources while easing trade imbalances and boosting relations between South Korea and the U.S.
 
The South Korean government announced in January this year that it will work to reduce the current account surplus with the U.S. by increasing imports of shale gas and other raw materials.