The LNG demand bottleneck

Panellists at LNG2026 say demand growth will hinge less on the level of global supply and more on the pace of downstream buildout, policy clarity and bankable market frameworks

The looming surge in global LNG supply will not spur a strong demand response without the faster buildout of regasification and supporting infrastructure, clearer policy signals and bankable frameworks that make downstream projects more profitable, panellists at the ‘LNG’s Role in Meeting Growing Energy Demand and Supporting Economic Development’ session at LNG2026 said. Excelerate Energy CEO Steven Kobos, Santos CEO Kevin Gallagher and Sasol CEO Simon Baloyi noted that future LNG demand growth was likely to be concentrated in emerging markets across Asia, Africa and parts of Latin America. With the third major wave of global LNG supply well on its way, liquefaction capacity is no longer the