Japan's Chubu seeks 2-3 spot LNG cargoes for Sept

[phantom power]

SINGAPORE/TOKYO, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Japan's third-largest utility, Chubu Electric Power Co (9502.T), is seeking two to three spot cargoes of liquefied natural gas for September, in the aftermath of a strong earthquake last week, traders said on Wednesday.

A Chubu spokeswoman declined to comment on the matter.

Traders said Chubu sought the cargoes via private talks, pushing up spot LNG offers to more than $5.00 per mmBtu.

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Operations at the two reactors at Chubu's Hamaoka plant in Shizuoka prefecture -- the 1,137 megawatt No.4 and the 1,267 MW No.5 units -- shut down automatically after the magnitude 6.5 quake on Aug 11.

Chubu said it would take three to four weeks to resume operating the No.4 reactor, one of five at the Hamaoka plant.

http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssIndustryMaterialsUtilitiesNews/idUSSP47109820090819?rpc=401&