(The Center Square) – Mitsubishi Corp. finalized a $7.5 billion acquisition of Dallas-based Aethon Energy Management’s Haynesville Shale assets this week, as another Japanese conglomerate moved to secure natural gas from northwest Louisiana for its LNG supply chain.
Tokyo-based Mitsubishi is the latest Japanese multinational energy company to buy production in north Louisiana following JERA’s February close on a $1.5 billion purchase of the South Mansfield gas field and supporting infrastructure from Williams and GeoSouthern Energy affiliates, both U.S.-based companies.
Taken together, Japanese multinationals will produce an estimated 4.5 billion cubic feet per day or about 30%-35% of the Haynesville region’s total natural gas in 2026. These companies have also bought stakes in LNG export terminals, giving them control of their LNG supply chains.
With Mitsubishi’s purchase of 400,000 gas-producing acres across Louisiana and East Texas, the underground pipelines, and its ownership interest in the Cameron LNG export terminal, the Japanese conglomerate seeks to secure a reliable, low-cost source of supply for its operations and customers overseas.
Another Japanese energy multinational, Tokyo Gas, acquired Rockcliff Energy’s production and pipeline assets in East Texas for $2.7 billion in 2024 to guarantee supply for its global trading operations. Tokyo Gas also owns and operates 10 LNG carriers. Similarly, Mitsui & Co. purchased acreage in the Tatonka sector of East Texas to fulfill its LNG supply contracts.
Mitsubishi created standalone operating subsidiary, Adamas Energy, to manage its Haynesville assets.
The new firm will be led by CEO Gordon Huddleston, the former managing partner of Aethon Energy.
“This transaction marks a milestone for our team, and we look forward to working alongside Mitsubishi to build upon our strong foundation in Haynesville,” Huddleston said in a statement. “By combining our deep operational experience with their global resources and equity positions, we are uniquely positioned to maximize the potential of these premier assets.”
Energy Department data shows Japan imported 65 million tons of LNG over the fiscal year ending in March, making the country the third largest importer of American gas in the year behind Mexico and South Korea. The European Union imported about 120 million tons of LNG during the same period.