Economics Minister Kung Ming-hsin is seeking to alley energy concerns -
saying natural gas supplies will be sufficient through April, as the
government has secured almost all the necessary shipments to replenish
inventories.

According to Kung, Taiwan's supply for March and April requires 22 liquefied
natural gas shipments and currently 20 of those have been secured, with the
remaining two are still under negotiation, but are expected to be confirmed
soon.

The economics minister is dismissing suggestions that Taiwan could face a
natural gas shortage, saying - such a scenario is "impossible."

Kung says Taiwan has a diversified natural gas supply, with about one-third
coming from Qatar and the remaining 60 to 70-per cent sourced from elsewhere
- and the overall supply structure is sound.

The minister also stressing that the government will continue monitoring
global supply and demand, and the situation is expected to improve as global
gas demand declines.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs last week outlining a "three-stage plan" for
ensuring fuel supplies in the event of "extreme conditions," including a
long-term Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

Under that plan, C-P-C will redirect cargoes from non-Middle Eastern sources
such as the U-S and Australia, seek supply swaps with Asian buyers such as
Japan and South Korea, and procure additional spot cargoes if necessary.