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Update: Workers Union Reportedly Calls Off Strike at Inpex LNG Facility in Australia

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(Updates to add statements from Offshore Alliance and Inpex from paragraphs 6-8.)

A proposed strike at Japanese energy firm Inpex's 9.3 million metric-ton-a-year Ichthys liquefied natural gas export facility in Darwin, northern Australia on Wednesday and Thursday has been canceled as progress was made in negotiations, according to multiple media reports, citing Offshore Alliance union.

Earlier this month, lawyers representing the union had served the facility with a notice of intent to strike, following months of failed negotiations.

The decision to strike was taken after about 326 of 346 union workers at the facility voted last month in favor of a strike to further their demands for better pay and working conditions.

According to its website, Offshore Alliance is a partnership between the Australian Workers' Union and the Maritime Union of Australia, and covers workers in the offshore oil and gas industry.

A strike at the facility, which accounts for about 2% of global LNG output, could have had severe consequences for the market amid the supply disruptions from the Strait of Hormuz due to the ongoing Middle East crisis, Bloomberg reported.

In a response to an email from, the Offshore Alliance confirmed the development.

In an emailed statement to, Inpex Senior Vice President Corporate Bill Townsend said Inpex has been informed that the Protected Industrial Action will not take place May 27 and 28 and the negotiations continue, with the company actively engaged in the bargaining process facilitated by the Fair Work Commission.

"INPEX remains focused on maintaining safe operations at Ichthys LNG, reaching a fair and equitable agreement with employees - and importantly, ensuring reliable energy supply to our key trading partners in the Indo-Pacific region amid disruption to global energy markets," the statement added.

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