Tokyo Gas says to build world's biggest LNG tank

TOKYO, April 27 (Reuters) - Tokyo Gas Co (9531.T), Japan's biggest natural gas utility, said on Monday it plans to build the world's biggest LNG tank in Yokohama, near Tokyo, for roughly 20 billion yen ($206 million) to meet projected growth in demand.

The 250,000 kilolitre tank will be able to hold 115,000 tonnes (250,000 cubic metres) of liquefied natural gas, topping the current record-holding 200,000 kl storage facility, which it owns, the company said in a statement.

Construction is to be completed in October 2013, it said.

Tokyo Gas had announced it would build a fourth LNG tank at the Yokohama plant, but it had not specified the storage capacity.

The company has placed an order to a consortium of Shimizu Corp (1803.T), IHI Co (7013.T) and a wholly owned construction firm of IHI.

A major provider of natural gas to Tokyo and the surrounding regions, Tokyo Gas sees a steady shift in the industrial sector to environment-friendly natural gas from coal and fuel oil. (Reporting by Osamu Tsukimori; Editing by Chris Gallagher)