- Mitsubishi Corporation is acquiring all equity interests in Aethon III LLC and related entities to enter the US shale gas business. - The deal, with a value of approximately 5.2 billion USD, involves stakeholders including Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and RedBird Capital Partners. - The acquisition is expected to close in the first quarter of Japan's fiscal year, between April and June 2026, pending regulatory approval. - This move expands MC’s North American energy platform, complementing existing assets in upstream shale gas, LNG exports, midstream logistics, and power generation. - Aethon’s assets are located in the Haynesville Shale formation, producing about 2.1 Bcf/d of natural gas, roughly 15 million tons of LNG annually. - The Haynesville region provides crucial supply for the US southern market and has access to LNG export terminals, including Cameron LNG. - Part of Aethon’s gas volume is poised for export to Asia and Europe, including Japan, leveraging strategic export infrastructure. - Mitsubishi aims to integrate this acquisition into its Corporate Strategy 2027, strengthening its natural gas and LNG businesses and building an end-to-end US energy value chain.

Mitsubishi Corporation Announces Acquisition of Haynesville Shale Gas Business in Louisiana and Texas

January 16, 2026

Mitsubishi Corporation (“MC”) has agreed to acquire all equity interests in Aethon III LLC, Aethon United LP, and related entities and interests (collectively “Aethon”). This transaction marks MC’s entry into the U.S. shale gas business across the value chain, from upstream ownership through domestic sales and export of produced gas.

MC reached an agreement on January 16, 2026 with Aethon Energy Management and Aethon’s existing stakeholders, including Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, RedBird Capital Partners for a total equity investment of approximately USD 5.2 billion. The acquisition is expected to close in the first quarter of Japan's fiscal year (April to June of 2026), subject to customary regulatory approvals.

Building on MC’s established North American energy platform—which includes upstream shale gas development with Ovintiv in British Columbia, midstream marketing and logistics through CIMA Energy in Houston, LNG exports via LNG Canada and Cameron LNG, and power generation through Diamond Generating Corporation—this acquisition further strengthens MC’s integrated energy and power business.

Aethon’s shale gas assets are primarily located in the Haynesville Shale formation, spanning Texas and Louisiana, and currently produce approximately 2.1 Bcf/d of natural gas (equivalent to about 15 million tons per year of LNG).

Haynesville is a major supply source of natural gas for the growing southern U.S. market and offers favorable access to multiple LNG export terminals, including Cameron LNG, where MC holds liquefaction capacity rights under a tolling agreement. Aethon’s natural gas is currently sold in the U.S. southern market, and part of this volume is being considered for export as LNG to Asia, including Japan, as well as to Europe.

Under its Corporate Strategy 2027, Leveraging Our Integrated Strength for the Future, MC has outlined a value creation framework of “Enhance,” “Reshape,” and “Create.” As part of “Create,” MC aims to drive growth through synergies across its existing business segments. This investment will not only strengthen the earnings base of MC’s natural gas and LNG businesses, but also accelerate efforts to build an integrated value chain in the United States—from upstream gas development to power generation, data center development, chemicals production, and related businesses.



For an overview of Aethon and related entities, please refer to the disclosure materialson MC’s website.