The second-quarter was more profitable for Sempra LNG thanks to the cargoes it didn’t receive.

The US terminal operator saw its profits grow by 38% to $18 million, compared to $13 million in the same period of 2010, parent Sempra Energy reported.

California-based Sempra tied the improvement to payments from customers that chose not to deliver contracted cargoes.

The earnings report did not name the customer involved.

Sempra’s