LNG

Optionality, not just molecules, is what LNG buyers are scrambling for as spare capacity shrinks and shipments from Qatar remain constraint. As sources for ‘safe’ supply become finite, each new shipping disruption has a greater impact on prices and procurement decisions, analysts warn.

Lithuania’s Ignitis has booked an additional 2 terawatt-hours (TWh) of annual regasification capacity at the Klaipėda LNG terminal between 2033 and 2044 on the secondary market as Baltic gas demand stays high.

Limited shipbuilding capacity in South Korea and China could slow down a record expansion of global LNG supply. One of the industry’s dependencies – the ability to physically move gas – rests on a supply chain it cannot control and cannot quickly replicate, Ikram Elloumi, director of research at Wood Mackenzie warns.

Australian LNG exporters are falling short on meeting Asian demand due to a lack of capacity that partially stems from an uncertain investment environment. “The first question from buyers always is, can you do more?...

Five US LNG projects are set to start operations and ramp up productions by the end of 2027, adding nearly 30% to the country’s current peak export capacity of 18.3 bcf/d and helping offset 10 Bcf/d of damaged Qatari export capacity, according to US government analysts.

Adriatic LNG has expanded its role as a key hub for Italy, with the operator boosting the terminal’s regas capacity from 9 to 9.5 bcm per year and daily output from 26 to 28.5 million cubic meters. The additional volume has already been fully allocated to users through 2045.

ADNOC Gas has announced it will take FID on Phase 2 and 3 of its Rich Gas Development (RGD) project in the first quarter of 2026, linking the move to a planned 30% rise in gas processing capacity by 2029 to underpin rising LNG exports.

Traders and LNG portfolio players are competing for regasification capacity to land LNG cargoes in Europe, though the European LNG arbitrage stayed closed for much of 2025. According to Platts data, the economics begin to reflect oversupply with the LNG-TTF price spread widening.

LNG is driving the bulk of US gas demand growth with Gulf Coast capacity additions pushing exports from 15.5 billion cubic feet per day towards 25 Bcf/d by 2028. Henry Hub prices indicate healthy but tightening upstream‑to‑LNG margins from Haynesville, and especially Permian associated gas.

Global LNG fleet growth is lagging behind upcoming export capacity, although IMO data indicates that 2026 deliveries will mark a record year. Yet the 234 newbuild LNG carriers scheduled for 2026–2030 could fall short of transporting the 229 mtpa of new liquefaction capacity due online by 2030, particularly if vessel retirements accelerate.