Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced Thursday that the state's $44 billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) pipeline project is gaining significant investment interest from Asia.

On Fox Business's "Varney & Co," Dunleavy referenced a recent trip to Taiwan, Thailand, South Korea, and Japan, where he said there was strong interest in purchasing gas as well as investing in the pipeline network.

The centrepiece of the Alaska LNG project is over 800 miles of pipeline designed to transport 3.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day from the North Slope to Nikiski in southcentral Alaska.

The AGDC envisions much of this gas being shipped overseas to North Pacific markets.

Dunleavy said Taiwan state-owned CPC Corporation signed a letter of intent for six million tons of gas, which he described as the largest single offtake deal in LNG history. He added that negotiations in Thailand, South Korea, and Japan also involved prospective investment in the pipeline itself.

The governor said on the program that the project already has all the right-of-ways and permits it requires, after clearing earlier court obstacles. He estimated that the 42-inch pipeline would take two and a half years to install.

Glenfarne Energy Transition acquired majority ownership and lead development of the Alaska LNG project in March, and anticipated to make final investment decisions by August or September.

Dunleavy also emphasized the economic benefits to Alaska, projecting 60 years of profitability and providing essential fuel to military installations and state utilities, as Cook Inlet gas fields have been in decline in recent years. 

He also hinted that the project could spur future factory growth and data farm expansion.

Oil and gas are a significant element of Alaska's economy, supplemented by tourism, fishing, forestry, and mining.