Centrica, the largest household energy supplier in the UK, has approached U.S. companies to secure British long-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) import deal, sources close to the matter disclosed.

The household energy supplier is in negotiation with several American LNG firms including Cheniere Energy and Freeport LNG on an agreement that would mark as the first ever long-term LNG deal with guaranteed deliveries for Great Britain, people knowledgeable about the deal said.

Abundant source of cheap LNG has sparked from the booming natural gas production from the shale deposits in the U.S. that producers have been aiming for export.

Domestic production in the UK has been ailing as the country continues to see higher prices of gas as a result of its heavy dependence on piped imports.

Great Britain heavily relies on LNG imported from Qatar as price volatility remains.