VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 13, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Methanex Corporation (the “Company”) (TSX:MX) (NASDAQ:MEOH) announced today that it has signed agreements with Pan American Sur SA, Compañia General de Combustibles SA, Total Austral SA and Wintershall Energia SA for additional gas supply on an interruptible basis and subject to gas availability in Argentina for its Chile operations through to June 1, 2020. These agreements are subject to the gas suppliers obtaining export permits from the Argentine Government and, based on the policy direction signaled by the Argentine Government, we are optimistic that the export permits will be granted. We expect that these new agreements, combined with existing contracts from other gas producers, will allow for a two-plant operation in Chile during the southern hemisphere summer months and up to a maximum of 75% of a two-plant operation annually.
John Floren, President and CEO of Methanex, commented, “We are very pleased to sign these agreements for additional gas supply for our Chile facilities. The ability to import natural gas from Argentina to Chile is a significant opportunity to support our operations in Chile. These agreements represent an important milestone to securing sufficient gas to underpin an ongoing two-plant operation by the end of the decade.”
Methanex is a Vancouver-based, publicly traded company and is the world’s largest producer and supplier of methanol to major international markets. Methanex shares are listed for trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange in Canada under the trading symbol “MX” and on the NASDAQ Global Select Market in the United States under the trading symbol “MEOH”.
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION WARNING
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to us and our industry. These statements relate to future events or our future performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward looking statements. Statements that include the words “will” and “expect” or other comparable terminology and similar statements of a future or forward-looking nature identify forward-looking statements. More particularly and without limitation, any statements regarding the following are forward-looking statements:
- expected levels and timing of natural gas supply to our Chile facility, and
- expected operating costs, including natural gas feedstock costs and logistics costs.
We believe that we have a reasonable basis for making such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this document are based on our experience, our perception of trends, current conditions and expected future developments as well as other factors. Certain material factors or assumptions were applied in drawing the conclusions or making the forecasts or projections that are included in these forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, future expectations and assumptions concerning the following:
- the supply of, demand for, and price of methanol, methanol derivatives, natural gas, coal, oil and oil derivatives,
- operating rates of the Chile facility,
- the Chile facility’s operating costs including natural gas feedstock costs, logistics costs, tax rates, foreign exchange rates and interest rates, and
- global and regional economic activity (including industrial production levels).
However, forward-looking statements, by their nature, involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties primarily include those attendant with producing and marketing methanol and successfully carrying out major capital expenditure projects in various jurisdictions, including without limitation:
- conditions in the methanol and other industries including fluctuations in the supply, demand for and price of methanol and its derivatives, including demand for methanol for energy uses,
- world-wide economic conditions, and
- other risks described in our 2017 Annual Management’s Discussion and Analysis and our Second Quarter 2018 Management’s Discussion and Analysis.
Having in mind these and other factors, investors and other readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. They are not a substitute for the exercise of one’s own due diligence and judgment. The outcomes anticipated in forward-looking statements may not occur and we do not undertake to update forward-looking statements except as required by applicable securities laws.
For further information, contact:
Inquiries:
Kim Campbell
Manager, Investor Relations
Methanex Corporation
604-661-2600 or Toll Free: 1 800 661 8851
www.methanex.com