Methanex Corp. and Chesapeake Energy Corporation announced the execution of a 10-year agreement to supply all of the natural gas required for Methanex's one million tonne per year methanol plant in Geismar, Louisiana. Commencement of natural gas deliveries will coincide with the startup of the plant, which is expected by the end of 2014.

The agreement is structured so that the natural gas price is linked to the methanol price, and both Methanex and Chesapeake will share in the risks and rewards resulting from the changing price of methanol over the decade of this contract. This gas pricing formula, in addition to the capital cost advantage of relocating a methanol plant as compared to a new-build facility, enables the project to be profitable across a broad range of methanol prices.