LNG

Shell CEO Wael Sawan has expressed reluctance to spend the company’s own equity on US LNG projects, citing the availability of low-cost infrastructure funding. His remark signals a shift towards prioritising shareholder returns over equity commitment in an increasingly oversupplied global LNG market.

Bridging the cost gap between green and grey hydrogen will require public grants and operating subsidies – impacting LNG demand growth. Displacing half of current fossil-based hydrogen (H2) with low-emissions alternatives would reduce associated gas needs by up to 150 bcm per year, equivalent to 6% of global gas demand, the International Energy Agency (IEA) finds.

China’s emissions have peaked ahead of schedule, having been flat or falling for nearly two years, with LNG imports down sharply amid a renewables (RES) surge that reshaped the power sector. According to Carbon Brief figures, emission fell in the power, transport cement, and metals sectors – offset by rises in petrochemicals-related emissions.

Russia's largest LNG producer Novatek has reported a sharp 63% drop in net profit, citing lower commodity prices, Western sanctions, and operational disruptions at its Ust-Luga terminal following a Ukrainian drone attack. 2025 net profits fell to 183 billion roubles ($2.37 billion), down from 493 billion roubles in the previous year.

Thailand's state energy company PTT is expanding its LNG portfolio, seeking to emulate Cheniere Energy’s flexible LNG shipping model as LNG benchmark prices have fallen to $9-10 per MMBtu, down from $12 in 2025. Analysts at Bernstein note that price-sensitive buyers like Thailand would import substantially more LNG if prices fall below $8/MMBtu.

QatarEnergy has pushed back the start of its LNG expansion project from mid- to late-2026. Any delay is, however, tightly constrained by long‑term offtake contracts that bind when LNG deliveries have to begin. 

Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) has awarded a contract worth nearly $1 billion to a consortium led by PowerChina and Lilama for the construction of the Quang Trach II LNG-fuelled power plant. Situated in the central province of Quang Tri, the plant will have a total installed capacity of 1,612 MW.

Taiwan’s state-run CPC Corporation plans to increase US LNG imports to 30-33% of its total supply in 2026, more than triple the 10% recorded last year. The move is part of a bilateral trade agreement, requiring Taipei to reduce the island nation’s $111 billion trade surplus with the United States.

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.

Japanese trading company Mitsui & Co is in advanced negotiations to buy a minority stake in Qatar’s North Field South LNG expansion, a 16 mtpa liquefaction project being developed at an estimated cost of $17.5 billion. The deal would give Mitsui access to one of the world’s lowest-cost LNG developments.