Status of Damage and Response to the Earthquake off the Coast of Fukushima

Japan Petroleum Exploration Co., Ltd. (JAPEX) announced the status of damage and response to the earthquake that struck off the coast of Fukushima Prefecture at around 11:08 p.m. on February 13, 2021.

1. Domestic oil and gas fields in Hokkaido, Akita, Yamagata, and Niigata Prefectures: Continuing production

JAPEX's ten domestic oil and gas fields are continuing normal production operations. The gas produced is also being supplied to our gas pipeline network as usual.

2. Gas pipeline network including Niigata-Sendai and branch lines to Fukushima and Yamagata prefectures: Continuing gas supply

Having confirmed the pipeline's safety by the remote monitoring system, our domestic gas pipeline network, including the Niigata-Sendai gas pipeline, operates and supplies natural gas after the earthquake as usual. The visual inspections of the pipelines and ancillary facilities are currently being conducted, and any damage or destruction that would interfere with operations have not been confirmed so far.

3. Soma LNG terminal at Shinchi-machi, Fukushima Prefecture: Operation suspended (resume date undetermined)

After the earthquake, the terminal operation has been suspended for safety confirmation, and the supply of LNG managed at the terminal has been also suspended. We are currently assessing the facilities' damage, and timing to resume operations are not yet determined.

There has been no damage to the surrounding area, such as gas leakage from the terminal. Due to the suspension of supply operations immediately after the earthquake, BOG (boil-off gas), the vaporized gas from LNG stored in the LNG storage tanks, is being burned as a measure to release the gas safely. By taking these measures, flames are being emitted from the flare stack, but there are no safety issues at the terminal or the surrounding area.

4. Fukushima Natural Gas Power Plant (owned by Fukushima Gas Power Ltd.: FGP): Operation suspended (resume date undetermined)

The power generation facilities were automatically shut down after the earthquake and are still inactive. FGP is currently inspecting the facilities in the power plant.

With the suspension of operations at the Soma LNG terminal, the supply of LNG regasified gas used as fuel for power generation has also been suspended. The resumption of the power plant operation has therefore not been determined at this time.

We will continue to confirm the status of the suspended facilities and their resumption of operation. However, depending on the results of the confirmation, it may take some time to resume operations.

JAPEX will continue to place the highest priority on safety as we work toward the resumption of operations at the suspended facilities and equipment.