JERA Co. Inc. (“JERA”), a global energy leader and Japan’s largest power generation company, announced that it has — through its subsidiary JERA Americas Inc. — reached agreement with Williams and GEP Haynesville II, LLC to acquire 100% of their respective interests in the South Mansfield upstream asset located in western Louisiana’s Haynesville Shale basin (“Haynesville Acquisition”). The Haynesville Acquisition supports JERA’s strategy of building a diversified, responsible, and resilient asset portfolio.

JERA will acquire its interest in the Haynesville asset, which currently produces more than 500 MMscfd and includes 200 undeveloped locations, through an upfront investment of $1.5 billion. The transaction includes a future investment plan under which JERA will increase total production to 1 Bscfd. The Haynesville Acquisition’s strategic value is supported by robust current production and proven reserves, established gathering, treating and transport infrastructure, and proximity to Gulf Coast LNG and data center hubs.

The Haynesville Acquisition builds on JERA’s substantial and growing presence in the United States, including its recent announcement of the largest offtake of U.S. LNG from a single buyer — 5.5 million tonnes per year for 20 years — and the Blue Point low-carbon ammonia development project. JERA also owns, in whole or in part, 10 power generation assets across the country.

“The U.S. energy sector is leading the way in the global LNG market and JERA’s investments have lined up accordingly,” said John O’Brien, JERA Americas’ chief executive officer. “The upstream Haynesville Acquisition is a strategic addition to our asset portfolio, enabling us to advance our unique supply chain expertise while deepening our commitment to Americas’ energy future.”

Ryosuke Tsugaru, JERA’s chief low carbon fuel officer, added, “The Haynesville Acquisition substantially expands our partnerships in the United States. The benefits are clear: enhanced diversification for JERA’s LNG value chain, expanded global reach across the gas value chain and overall risk mitigation in a volatile energy market. The project thus clearly aligns with our strategic priorities and reinforces our core mission to provide a stable and secure energy supply globally.”

The Haynesville Acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.

About JERA

JERA is a global energy leader and Japan’s largest power generation company focused on providing cutting-edge solutions to the world's energy issues. Established in 2015, the Company produces one-third of Japan’s electricity, and is one of the largest LNG buyers in the world. JERA has global reach and strength throughout the energy supply chain, from participation in LNG upstream projects and fuel procurement, through fuel transportation to power generation. In support of a responsible energy transition, JERA has committed to achieving net-zero CO₂ emissions from its domestic and overseas businesses by 2050.

About Williams

Williams (NYSE: WMB) owns and operates energy infrastructure that safely and reliably delivers the natural gas that is used every day to affordably heat homes, cook food and generate electricity. As the world moves to a lower-carbon future, Williams is well-positioned to leverage its natural gas-focused strategy while continuing to deliver consistently stable returns for its shareholders. Williams is a FORTUNE 500 investment grade corporation headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with operations across the natural gas value chain spanning the United States.

Williams handles one third of natural gas volumes across the United States.

Sequent Energy Management, a Williams Company, moves natural gas to markets through transportation and storage agreements on strategically positioned assets. Sequent currently has a marketing and optimisation footprint of 7 Bcf/d.