https://www.engineeringnews.co.za

Receive our free daily newsletter:

LNG

LNG (liquefied natural gas) is natural gas that has been cooled to approximately –162 °C, transforming it from a gaseous state into a liquid for ease of storage and transport. The liquefaction process reduces the volume of natural gas by around 600 times, making it economically viable to ship across oceans in specially designed cryogenic tankers. LNG is primarily composed of methane, with small quantities of other hydrocarbons and trace impurities removed during processing. Major exporting regions include Qatar, Australia, the United States and Russia, while key importers are concentrated in Asia, particularly Japan, South Korea, China and India, as well as Europe. The global LNG trade has grown significantly since the early 2000s, driven by rising energy demand, the retirement of coal-fired power stations and the need for cleaner-burning fossil fuels. LNG is regasified at import terminals and fed into pipeline networks or used directly for power generation, industrial processes and heating. The industry requires substantial infrastructure investment, including liquefaction plants, shipping fleets, regasification terminals and storage facilities. Energy security concerns, particularly around chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz, and the growth of energy-intensive sectors such as data centres have reinforced LNG's strategic importance. Geopolitical events, supply disruptions and the transition towards renewable energy continue to shape the market dynamics and long-term outlook for LNG.

Latest Articles in 60 Seconds

Global LNG trade hits record despite Middle East risk

The International Gas Union says global LNG trade rose 6.3% to 436.98-million tons in 2025, boosted by strong US exports and higher European imports, though conflict-related damage to Gulf infrastructure could trigger a contraction in 2026. Shell's 2026 LNG Outlook separately forecasts demand climbing about 65% by 2050 to nearly 700-million tons a year, led by Asia, even as Strait of Hormuz disruptions have shut in about one-fifth of monthly global supply.

South Africa's ZET terminal advances with new partners

The Zululand Energy Terminal import project at Richards Bay has signed a heads of agreement with ExxonMobil South Africa LNG to supply the facility, while Eskom has separately agreed to become a foundation customer to underpin its proposed 3 000 MW Richards Bay gas-to-power programme, with financial close and contractor selection now under way.

Canada accelerates west coast LNG projects

A Canada-British Columbia Cooperative Prosperity Agreement signed by Prime Minister Mark Carney and Premier David Eby aims to unlock more than $200-billion in investment and commits federal government to accelerating permitting for LNG Canada Phase 2, Ksi Lisims LNG, Cedar LNG and Woodfibre LNG, alongside a new Alberta-to-coast oil pipeline led by Trans Mountain and Pembina Pipeline.

LNG Updates


Woodside gas project in Australia
Aus regulator sees east coast gas market well-supplied through 2026, warns of 2027 risks
10th July 2026 By: Reuters

Australia's east coast gas market is expected to have sufficient supply in the fourth quarter of 2026, though further investment will be needed to meet longer-term demand, the country's competition... 


Coal truck
Vietnam looks at more coal power plants as Iran war complicates LNG plans
8th July 2026 By: Reuters

Vietnam's government is considering building more coal-fired power plants to ensure it can meet its energy needs, the government said on Wednesday, as the Iran war further complicates its slow... 


LNG vessel
Global LNG trade hit record in 2025, but Middle East conflict clouds outlook, IGU says
7th July 2026 By: Reuters

Global liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade hit a record last year as strong US exports and rising European imports offset weaker Asian purchases, the International Gas Union (IGU) said in a report on... 


Waving Canadian flag
Public engager Resource Works lauds latest Canadian natural resource investments
6th July 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Canadian public engagement organisation Resource Works has welcomed the Canada-British Columbia Cooperative Prosperity Agreement signed on July 2 by Prime Minister Mark Carney and Premier David... 


Iron-ore
Australia flags risk to iron-ore price from China State buyer
3rd July 2026 By: Reuters

An Australian government report on Friday said efforts by China's State-backed iron-ore buyer to cut costs for Chinese steel mills may push down prices in the medium term, in a rare acknowledgment... 


Shell logo
Shell expects 65% rise in global LNG demand by 2050
30th June 2026 By: Reuters

Global liquefied natural gas (LNG) demand is expected to rise by around 65% by 2050, driven largely by Asia as countries seek lower-emission alternatives to coal and data centres boost power... 


Pump jacks
Oil set to end June down by about 20%, with investors focused on Doha
30th June 2026 By: Reuters

Oil prices dipped around 1% on Tuesday, reversing the previous session's gains, and were poised for a monthly decline, with investors eyeing potential US-Iran talks in Doha amid a strained interim... 


Santos and ConocoPhillips' Darwin operation
Australian energy exploration hits ten-year high in hunt for gas
29th June 2026 By: Reuters

Energy exploration has picked up sharply in Australia driven by growing Asian gas demand, technological advances and an improved investment climate, with the Iran war underscoring the urgency to... 


Coal import data from December 2025 to June 2026
Asia's thermal coal imports jump on China, Japan, S.Korea buying
26th June 2026 By: Reuters

Asia's imports of seaborne thermal coal are rebounding as China boosts purchases to compensate for soft domestic output and Japan and South Korea seek energy security amid the fallout from the... 


Tanzania LNG – unlocking future growth across energy and industry
Tanzania LNG – unlocking future growth across energy and industry
26th June 2026

By: Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed Hegazy - Business Development Leader, Energy and Chemicals, Schneider Electric East Africa Tanzania’s energy and chemicals segment is projected to show tremendous growth in... 


Image of LNG terminal
ZET liquefied natural gas import terminal project, South Africa – update
26th June 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Zululand Energy Terminal and ExxonMobil South Africa LNG, an affiliate of ExxonMobil, signed a heads of agreement to advance the project on June 17, 2026. 


1

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







301

pqt: 0.054s - ct: 0.11s - 216pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now