China can't get enough
The East Asian country is hungry for LNG and is on course to become one of the world's top importers
For global liquefied natural gas observers, perhaps one of the most significant developments over the past 18 months has been the strong and not entirely anticipated upswing in demand for LNG from China. The share of LNG imports in China's overall gas mix has been steadily rising, from a low of 0.8m tonnes in early 2012 to over 3.6m tonnes, and climbing, in early 2017. More pronounced spikes in LNG imports were seen in the winter of 2016-17, when China leant more heavily on spot cargoes to meet its heating, power and transport needs. This year, new clean air policies are pushing up demand for LNG to unprecedented levels. The upward trend is a sign of China's growing appetite for LNG, which l
Also in this section
28 April 2026
Oil traders warning of $200/bl oil are wrong, and the market should be wary of proclamations that the impact of the oil shortage has only begun to be felt and a that a ‘harsh adjustment’ is coming—even for industrialised nations
28 April 2026
Restoring supply from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Iraq involves complexities far beyond simply adjusting operational controls
28 April 2026
Datacentres will guzzle power at a ferocious rate, but the impact on wider energy markets will be far more complex than previously thought
28 April 2026
The key energy player faces balancing regional routes, political complexities, and creating a clear strategic vision for energy security
