The document discusses the significant growth in global gas demand driven by LNG, particularly in Asia, with China emerging as the largest importer. Major market shifts include the rise of U.S. LNG exports and a transition from traditional power generation to industry as the main growth source. While the future of LNG is promising, challenges remain regarding price competitiveness and market rigidities.

1. © OECD/IEA 2018
LNG: driving global gas growth &
improving flexibility
Dr. Fatih Birol
LNG Producer-Consumer Conference – Nagoya – 22 October 2018
IEA

2. Natural Gas – Outlook for the next 5 years
 Gas demand is in the fast lane, thanks to its flexibility & ability to ease
environmental problems
 Global gas markets are being re-shaped by three major structural shifts
 China becoming the world’s largest natural gas importer
 US gas production and LNG exports rising dramatically
 Industry displacing power generation as the leading source of growth
 The future of LNG remains bright, but it is not without challenges
 Price competitiveness – especially in emerging markets
 Market rigidities persist & oil price exposure remains a concern

3. © OECD/IEA 2018
Strong growth in LNG imports is driven by Asia
LNG trade grows at almost three times the rate of global gas demand;
China is the main contributor to growth, driven by policy targets to reduce local air pollution
LNG imports by region, 2013-23
3
0
100
200
300
400
500
2013 2015 2017 2019 2021 2023
bcm
Europe and others Japan Korea Other Asia ChinaAsia

4. © OECD/IEA 2018
0
100
200
300
400
500
Other Qatar
Australia USA
Qatar, Australia and the United States reshape global LNG markets
LNG trade passes 500 bcm by 2023, growing by a third in five years
Qatar, Australia and the US will supply 60% of the world’s LNG by 2023
bcm
4
This map is without prejudice to the status of or sovereignty over any territory, to the delimitation of international frontiers and boundaries, and to the name of any territory, city or area.
Single player
Long-term
contracts
& spot
2011
2017
2023
Hub-indexed
Destination
flexibleSingle player
Long-term
contracts
& spot Multiple
players
Long-term
contracts

5. © OECD/IEA 2018
Conclusions
 Over the next 5 years, demand for gas to grow strongly & LNG even faster, led by Asia
 LNG flexibility improving with more destination-free exports & shorter contracts, yet fixed
destination and oil-indexation still prevalent
 Natural gas can contribute to a sustainable energy future & facilitate a shift to a hydrogen
economy
 New investment along the entire natural gas value chain is critical to enhance flexibility & security
of supply – as outlined in the IEA’s Global Gas Security Review 2018 released today
 The IEA is committed to close cooperation & dialogue with gas producers & consumers to
improve transparency, encourage flexibility & boost resilience
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6. © OECD/IEA 2018
www.iea.org
IEA