2015 Proved a Transformative Year Setting Future Tone of LNG Trade

摘要

The International Group of Liquefied Natural Gas Importers recently released its take on 2015 and judging from the report, last year could well prove a watershed for the global LNG trade with a far-reaching impact through the rest of the decade and beyond. Here's why: The global LNG market, despite significant headwinds, continued expanding by 2.5% to reach a record 245.2 million tons per year, or 32.2 billion cubic feet per day. Utilization of liquefaction capacity stayed steady at 80% even though new projects were started up in Australia and Indonesia. Qatar remains the top dog, accounting for 32% of global trade last year. But this is certainly not sustainable as the Middle East kingdom stands to lose market share this year through the end of the decade as LNG projects are rolled out in Australia and perhaps more significantly in the US. By 2020, Qatar's market share could erode to 21.5%.