Sinopec’s Tianjin LNG terminal
Asia increasingly looks to flexible LNG supply
Demand growth and the expiration of existing contracts mean Asian nations will become less reliant on long-term contracted supply
Asia’s reliance on flexible LNG—shipments not bound by destination-specific contracts—is set to increase on the back of higher demand for the fuel. At the same time, contractual term volumes are poised to rise this summer and the coming winter, with China and India set to soak up much of this flexible supply. China will be the main growth driver for demand for flexible cargoes, with imports anticipated to rise over this summer, the upcoming winter and again next summer. Supply of uncommitted, destination-free LNG has seen limited growth this summer but is poised to surge this coming winter and following summer. The jump is dependent on new US projects coming onstream and the planned ramp-up
Also in this section
5 August 2025
After failed attempts to find a buyer for its stake in Russia’s largest oil producer, BP may be able to avoid the harsh treatment meted out to ExxonMobil and Shell when they exited—and could even restart operations if geopolitical conditions improve
1 August 2025
A number of companies have filed arbitration claims against Gazprom over non-deliveries of contracted gas or other matters—and won. The next step is to collect the award, but this is no easy task
1 August 2025
Europe’s refining sector is desperately trying to adapt to a shifting global energy landscape and nowhere is this more apparent than in its largest economy
1 August 2025
The Middle East natural gas playbook is being rewritten. The fuel source offers the region a pathway to a cleaner, sustainable and affordable means of local power, to fasttrack economic development and as a lucrative opportunity to better monetise its energy resources.
