LNG faces promises and perils ahead
LNG has opportunities to expand in established markets and access new ones, but the sector’s outlook is also fraught with uncertainties, from political and regulatory difficulties to chokepoints, project delays and cost overruns, says the IGU
The global LNG sector is undergoing rapid evolution, presenting new opportunities to expand supply and reach an increasing number of countries, but it also faces an array of uncertainties, the International Gas Union (IGU) said in its 2025 World LNG Outlook, published on 22 May. The world is on the brink of its next major wave of LNG supply growth in 2026, following seven years of only single-digit annual volume increases. Next year, 53.7mt of new capacity is expected to come online, including 31.1mt in North America and 15.6mt in the Middle East, according to the IGU. This contrasts with just 6.5mt of fresh capacity entering the market in 2024. Global capacity is set to grow by about 170
Also in this section
11 March 2026
Missiles over Dubai and disruption in Hormuz are testing the emirate’s reputation—and shaking the energy hub at the centre of the Gulf economy
11 March 2026
De la Rey Venter, CEO of LNG player MidOcean Energy, discusses strategy, project developments and the prospects for the LNG market
10 March 2026
From Venezuela to Hormuz, the US—backed by the most powerful military force ever assembled—is redrawing not only oil and gas flows but also the global balance of energy power
10 March 2026
By shutting the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has cut exports of distillate-rich Middle Eastern crude, jet fuel and diesel, and is holding the energy market hostage






