Japan’s Mitsubishi said it plans to accelerate feasibility studies into LNG exports from Canada after buying into new shale gas assets in the country’s west.

The conglomerate has purchased 40% in the Cutbank Ridge Partnership, a joint venture controlled by Calgary-based EnCana trhat is developing a 409,000 net acres of gas-rich land in northeastern British Columbia’s Montney shale play.

The C$1.45 billion (US$1.46