LNG: lots today, even more tomorrow

Vast amounts of export capacity are coming on stream, so it's just as well that demand looks set to keep growing

The liquefied natural gas revolution is well and truly upon us. Global export capacity stands at around 290m tonnes a year, with a staggering 60m t/y of that added since early 2016 and a further 80m t/y due over the next couple of years. Australia is set to overtake Qatar as the world's largest LNG exporter next year, when Shell's Prelude floating LNG project and Inpex and Total's Ichthys facility reach full capacity. But now Qatar is back in the race, ending its long-standing moratorium on building new export capacity and fighting for its share of a fast-expanding market. Doha has lined up three new trains, which should take export capacity to 100m t/y from 77m t/y by 2023. Canny timing, it