Newsletters | Request Trial | Log in | Advertise | Digital Issue   |   Search
  • Upstream
  • Midstream & Downstream
  • Gas & LNG
  • Trading & Markets
  • Corporate & Finance
  • Geopolitics
  • Podcasts
Search
Related Articles
Waiting for Arctic LNG 2
Without sanctions relief, there is little reason to believe the latest potential attempt at exports from the Russian liquefaction project will be more successful than the one last summer
New Zealand backs gas, but results take time
Government is sending out the right policy signals to support increased domestic gas development, but policy takes time to implement and even longer to yield results
South Korea’s transition bottlenecks keep LNG in play
The country’s new government has grand plans for renewables, but the structural changes needed for these policies will take years to carry out
Letter from the Middle East: Iran-Israel war risks dire straits
A blockade of the Strait of Hormuz would have reverberations that would sound around the world
Argentina makes progress on LNG dream
Eni is joining the first phase of the 30mt/yr ARGLNG, while consortium behind the smaller Southern Energy LNG has reached FID
Trump creates new risk dynamic
US policies may have lasting effects in sectors such as energy, that rely on predictable rules and long-term planning
Australia’s LNG flashpoint
Scapegoating foreign buyers will not solve country’s gas shortages
EU faces tough task following Japan LNG model
The bloc may find it very difficult to replicate Japan’s approach due to fundamental differences in policy and markets
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
Woodside adopts considered approach to Louisiana LNG
CEO Meg O’Neill explains the virtue of patience in offtake discussions amid tariff tensions
An LNG tanker at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal
LNG Politics
Joe Murphy
7 May 2025
Follow @PetroleumEcon
Forward article link
Share PDF with colleagues

LNG gets political

From China blocking US LNG to Trump demanding that various countries import more of the fuel, the politicisation of LNG is on the rise

The severing of LNG trade between the world’s largest exporter, the US, and its top importer, China, has not triggered any major upheaval in global flows of the fuel, largely owing to the limited volumes involved. China imported just 4.2mt of US LNG in 2024, according to its customs data—only around 5% of its total imports and a similarly small share of US exports. In short, neither country is particularly reliant on the other for energy security, despite their outsized presence in the global LNG market. Nonetheless, the breakdown is significant as it highlights a growing shift in LNG trade. A market that usually offers versatile supply and is commercially driven, is becoming more fragmented

Also in this section
Waiting for Arctic LNG 2
10 July 2025
Without sanctions relief, there is little reason to believe the latest potential attempt at exports from the Russian liquefaction project will be more successful than the one last summer
Nigeria bullish about oil recovery
9 July 2025
Efforts to restructure and boost investment appear to be working, but doubts remain about the plan to almost double crude production by 2030
The death knell for UK energy security
7 July 2025
The end of Grangemouth and Lindsey oil refineries marks a worrying trend across Europe amid cost and transition pressures
Petroleum Economist: July/August 2025
3 July 2025
The July/August 2025 issue of Petroleum Economist is out now!

Share PDF with colleagues

Rich Text Editor, message-text
Editor toolbarsBasic Styles Bold ItalicParagraph Insert/Remove Numbered List Insert/Remove Bulleted List Decrease Indent Increase IndentLinks Link Unlinkabout About CKEditor
COPYRIGHT NOTICE: PDF sharing is permitted internally for Petroleum Economist Gold Members only. Usage of this PDF is restricted by <%= If(IsLoggedIn, User.CompanyName, "")%>’s agreement with Petroleum Economist – exceeding the terms of your licence by forwarding outside of the company or placing on any external network is considered a breach of copyright. Such instances are punishable by fines of up to US$1,500 per infringement
Send

Forward article Link

Rich Text Editor, txt-link-message
Editor toolbarsBasic Styles Bold ItalicParagraph Insert/Remove Numbered List Insert/Remove Bulleted List Decrease Indent Increase IndentLinks Link Unlinkabout About CKEditor
Send
Sign Up For Our Newsletter
Project Data
Maps
Podcasts
Social Links
Featured Video
Home
  • About us
  • Subscribe
  • Reaching your audience
  • PE Store
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact us
  • Privacy statement
  • Cookies
  • Sitemap
All material subject to strictly enforced copyright laws © 2025 The Petroleum Economist Ltd
Cookie Settings
;

Search

  • Upstream
  • Midstream & Downstream
  • Gas & LNG
  • Trading & Markets
  • Corporate & Finance
  • Geopolitics
  • Podcasts
Search