Petronas told Korea Gas the 336,000 metric ton shipment, due between September and March, would be delayed because of damage caused by the fire.

This disruption is expected to affect the LNG supply chain and coupled with the recent fire at Exxon's Aceh gas fields, has many analysts believing this shortage will have an effect on LNG supply worldwide.

While it is expected that the deficit LNG cargoes to Korea Gas - and other Far East buyers like Tohoku Electric Power Co - will be compensated with replacement cargoes from the Middle East, this may affect supply of LNG to Europe and the US.

The recent fire at the Exxon fields in Aceh has ruled out the option of making up for the loss of Malaysia's supply of LNG from Indonesia.