Glimmers beyond the glut
Global exports are heading for a hefty surplus. It will take a brave developer to sanction a sizeable new plant without lining up buyers first
The gas liquefaction construction boom is here—millions of tonnes of capacity are coming on stream over the next two or three years from the US to Malaysia, the Russian Arctic to Australia. But it's not going to last. With supply poised to outstrip demand, some developers are delaying final investment decisions (FIDs) on fresh capacity until a rebalancing of the LNG market is in sight—and that is unlikely to happen before the early-to-mid-2020s. More than 140m tonnes a year of global LNG capacity is due to be added between the start of 2016 and end-2019, with 51m t/y scheduled to start up this year alone, according to Energy Aspects, a consultancy. Much of this originates from Australia—whic
Also in this section
12 December 2025
The federal government is working with Alberta to improve the country’s access to Asian markets and reduce dependence on the US, but there are challenges to their plans
12 December 2025
The latest edition of our annual Outlook publication, titled 'The shape of energy to come: Creating unique pathways and managing shifting alliances', is available now
11 December 2025
The removal of the ban on oil and gas exploration and an overhaul of the system sends all the right messages for energy security, affordability and sustainability
10 December 2025
The economic and environmental cost of the seven-year exploration ban will be felt long after its removal
