Tokyo

THE shale gas "revolution will finally cross the Pacific Ocean" from 2016 with US exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) beginning to reach Asia, bringing the promise of a new era of cheaper fuel, Minister of Economy Trade and Industry Yoichi Miyazawa predicted in Tokyo on Thursday.

With an array of LNG projects also planned in Australia, Canada, Russia, Alaska and elsewhere, prospects for plentiful and cheap energy for the Asia region look good, provided greater flexibility can be introduced in energy contracts, Mr Miyazawa told a conference.