Chen said LNG sellers in Asia such as Australia’s Woodside Petroleum need to ease take-or-pay conditions and restrictions on where cargoes can be delivered.

“Removing this restriction would ease buyers’ concern over market uncertainties, allowing the diversion of surplus supplies to markets in need,” he said.

Removing of destination restriction clauses would also facilitate trade and help expand the LNG market over the longer term, he said.

“This would also serve seller interests by encouraging buyers to expand their LNG purchasing,” he said.

Taiwan’s LNG consumption is forecast to reach 10 million tonnes per annum by 2010 and 16MMtpa by 2020, Chen said.

The country currently has four long-term LNG agreements with Indonesia, Malaysia and Qatar.