TOKYO, October 23, 2025: Japan’s largest power generation company, JERA Co., Inc., announced on Thursday that it will acquire full ownership of shale gas assets in Louisiana for approximately 1.5 billion dollars. The acquisition marks a significant expansion of JERA’s operations in the United States as Japan strengthens its liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply chain with American producers following recent bilateral trade discussions.
The deal, executed through JERA’s wholly owned subsidiary, JERA Americas Inc., involves the purchase of all interests and business assets held by Williams Upstream Holdings, LLC, and GEP Haynesville II, LLC. The assets are located in the Haynesville Shale basin in western Louisiana, one of the most productive natural gas formations in the United States. The field currently produces around 500 million standard cubic feet per day of gas, equivalent to approximately 3.5 million tonnes of LNG per year.
According to JERA’s statement, the South Mansfield gas acreage covers about 210 square kilometers and includes both the Haynesville and Mid-Bossier formations. The assets feature developed infrastructure for gas gathering, processing, and transportation, with access to key LNG export facilities and power generation hubs along the U.S. Gulf Coast. The transaction provides JERA with direct upstream participation in gas production, complementing its existing global LNG procurement operations.
JERA’s Chief Low-Carbon Fuel Officer, Ryosuke Tsugaru, said the acquisition represents a major milestone in the company’s collaboration with U.S. energy partners. He stated that the move strengthens JERA’s position in securing reliable energy sources for global markets. The company confirmed that the newly acquired operations will be managed under JERA Americas, headquartered in Houston, Texas.
Haynesville Shale asset strengthens Japan-US energy ties
JERA Co., Inc., a joint venture between Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc. and Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc., is one of the world’s largest buyers of LNG. The company has been working to enhance supply stability amid fluctuating global energy markets and to diversify its fuel procurement portfolio. It has also been investing in cleaner energy sources and infrastructure to support Japan’s long-term energy transition goals while maintaining energy security.
Williams Upstream Holdings, LLC, and GEP Haynesville II, LLC, the sellers in the deal, are subsidiaries involved in U.S. natural gas exploration and production. The companies have developed and operated the South Mansfield assets with established midstream connectivity, enabling efficient transport to LNG terminals in Louisiana and Texas. The Haynesville Shale is regarded as a critical region for U.S. gas exports due to its proximity to Gulf Coast LNG facilities.
Upstream control enhances JERA’s energy supply stability
The transaction, valued at about 1.5 billion dollars, is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals in both the United States and Japan. Once completed, JERA will assume ownership and operational control of the entire upstream business associated with the acquired entities. The company did not disclose the expected closing date of the transaction. This acquisition follows Japan’s recent agreement with the United States to expand LNG imports under newly negotiated trade terms.
It reflects the continuing collaboration between the two countries in energy development, particularly in natural gas production and export. The deal further consolidates Japan’s position as a key participant in the U.S. LNG supply chain, ensuring stable access to fuel resources critical for its power sector and industrial demand. The acquisition underscores the deepening energy cooperation between Japan and the United States, two of the world’s leading economies, as they continue to strengthen supply networks and investment ties in the global energy sector. – By Content Syndication Services.