Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Nvidia Weighs Expanding H200 AI Chip Production as China Demand Surges 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Robinhood Expands Sports Event Contracts With Player Performance Wagers 
Strategy Retains Nasdaq 100 Spot Amid Growing Scrutiny of Bitcoin Treasury Model 
FDA Says No Black Box Warning Planned for COVID-19 Vaccines Despite Safety Debate 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
SpaceX Begins IPO Preparations as Wall Street Banks Line Up for Advisory Roles 
Biren Technology Targets Hong Kong IPO to Raise $300 Million Amid China’s AI Chip Push 
FAA Unveils Flight Plan 2026 to Strengthen Aviation Safety and Workforce Development 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Sanofi’s Efdoralprin Alfa Gains EMA Orphan Status for Rare Lung Disease 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Nomura Expands Alternative Assets Strategy With Focus on Private Debt Acquisitions 
QatarEnergy, one of the world’s top liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporters, is reportedly in advanced talks with Japanese firms for a long-term LNG supply deal from its North Field expansion project, sources told Reuters. The deal could see Qatar supplying at least 3 million metric tons annually to a consortium of Japanese importers, including JERA, Japan’s largest power utility, and trading giant Mitsui & Co.
This potential agreement would reinforce Qatar’s dominant position in the Japanese LNG market, as it faces growing competition from the U.S., the UAE, and Oman, which offer more flexible contract terms. It would also mark the first major long-term contract since reports emerged last October that Qatar was struggling to secure term deals with East Asian buyers.
Neither QatarEnergy nor Mitsui disclosed deal specifics, though both acknowledged ongoing discussions. JERA confirmed it is speaking with various suppliers and emphasized the importance of diversifying LNG sources beyond Asia, pointing to North America and the Middle East as key options.
Qatar, the third-largest LNG exporter in 2024 after the U.S. and Australia, shipped 79.54 million metric tons last year. The country plans to boost output from 77 mtpa to 142 mtpa by 2030, up from an earlier target of 126 mtpa.
Japan, the world’s second-largest LNG importer after China, brought in 65.89 million tons last year. While Qatar was once a top LNG supplier to Japan—delivering over 15 mtpa a decade ago—volumes declined following Japan's nuclear restart. JERA ended a 5.5 mtpa contract with Qatar in 2021. In 2024, Qatar shipped under 3 million tons to Japan, highlighting the potential significance of the new deal.
