BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - The opening of an LNG terminal in the eastern port city of Qingdao by China Petroleum & Chemical Corp (Sinopec) has been delayed as the refiner has not concluded talks on natural gas imports, a source at the company told XFN-Asia.

The source, who declined to be identified, said Sinopec is still in talks with suppliers from Australia, Qatar and Iran regarding long-term contracts for LNG.

The Qingdao facility is due to start operations in 2009.