Shell expects Aussie gas shortage to trigger LNG export curbs

Sydney

THE world's second-biggest liquefied natural gas exporting nation will probably curb shipments next year to avoid a domestic shortfall of the fuel, according to the Australian head of Royal Dutch Shell Plc.

The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) will probably declare a shortage for eastern states in the next two to four weeks, Shell Australia chairwoman Zoe Yujnovich said at a Bloomberg event on Wednesday in Sydney. That would trigger the country's domestic gas security mechanism, a policy announced in June that could limit LNG exports from plants that draw more gas from local markets than they supply.