Asia's new buyers
The region's established LNG importers need less gas, but a crop of emerging economies offer succour-and risk-to exporters
Lower-than-expected liquefied natural gas demand in northeast Asia's mature gas markets of Japan, South Korea and Taiwan means exporters are casting further afield for buyers. The good news for exporters is that new LNG customers are emerging in southeast Asia offering the potential to absorb some of the excess supply-provided sellers can offer cheap enough gas, and flexible delivery time-frames and volumes. Countries looking to increase their LNG use in the coming decade include China and India, with demand also emerging in Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam and others. While some of these countries presently account for a small share of total Asian LNG
Also in this section
20 February 2026
The country is pushing to increase production and expand key projects despite challenges including OPEC+ discipline and the limitations of its export infrastructure
20 February 2026
Europe has transformed into a global LNG demand powerhouse over the last few years, with the fuel continuing to play a key role in safeguarding the continent’s energy security, Carsten Poppinga, chief commercial officer at Uniper, tells Petroleum Economist
20 February 2026
Sempra Infrastructure’s vice president for marketing and commercial development, Carlos de la Vega, outlines progress across the company’s US Gulf Coast and Mexico Pacific Coast LNG portfolio, including construction at Port Arthur LNG, continued strong performance at Cameron LNG and development of ECA LNG
19 February 2026
US LNG exporter Cheniere Energy has grown its business rapidly since exporting its first cargo a decade ago. But Chief Commercial Officer Anatol Feygin tells Petroleum Economist that, as in the past, the company’s future expansion plans are anchored by high levels of contracted offtake, supporting predictable returns on investment






