Inpex Holdings Inc <1605.T>, Japan's biggest oil and gas explorer, is expected to confirm this month that it will build a A$12 billion ($10.7 billion) liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant in the northern Australian city of Darwin, The Australian newspaper reported on Monday.

Inpex was initially considering building the plant, which will serve as an export hub for gas from its Ichthys field off western Australia, either in Darwin or in Western Australia's Kimberley region.

The paper said Darwin is expected to be chosen because a quick decision from the Western Australia state government on the Kimberley option is unlikely, citing unnamed industry sources and analysts.

Inpex has a 76 percent stake in the Ichthys project.
(US$1=A$1.13)


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