(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Milano, 16 gen - The Japanese trading company Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) said it has agreed to acquire the shale gas interests and gas processing facilities in the US of Aethon Energy Managementfor 5.2 billion dollars.

"This investment will not only strengthen the earnings base of MC's natural gas and LNG businesses, but also accelerate efforts to build an integrated value chain in the United States-from upstream gas development to power generation, data center development, chemicals production, and related businesses," the company said.

The acquisition is expected to close in the first quarter of Japan's fiscal year (April to June of 2026), subject to customary regulatory approvals. The other selling shareholders include the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan and RedBird Capital Partners.

The acquisition further strengthens MC's integrated energy and power business, building on its established North American energy platform, which includes upstream shale gas development with Ovintiv in British Columbia, midstream marketing and logistics through CIMA Energy in Houston, LNG exports via LNG Canada and Cameron LNG, and power generation through Diamond Generating Corporation.

Aethon's shale gas assets are primarily located in the Haynesville Shale formation, spanning Texas and Louisiana, and currently produce approximately 2.1 billion cf/d of natural gas (equivalent to about 15 million tons per year of LNG).

Haynesville is a major supply source of natural gas for the growing southern US market and offers favorable access to multiple LNG export terminals, including Cameron LNG, where MC holds liquefaction capacity rights under a tolling agreement.

Aethon's natural gas is currently sold in the US southern market, and part of this volume is being considered for.

export as LNG to Asia, including Japan, as well as to Europe.

(RADIOCOR) 16-01-26 08:32:57 (0158) 5 NNNN