Global Gas Security Review 2019
Global natural gas demand is growing strongly, supported by abundant and diversified
sources of supply. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) remains a key enabler of international
trade development with double-digit growth three years in a row, and with future growth
potential supported by another wave of investment decisions in LNG export facilities
throughout the world.
Much of the growth in LNG consumption is occurring in countries where LNG competes
with other sources of natural gas and fuels, meaning LNG importers want more flexibility.
The development of LNG spot trading, the growing share of destination-free supply
contracts, and the rise of portfolio players as key buyers are all signs that the
LNG market is responding to these increasing demands.
The International Energy Agency’s fourth edition of the Global Gas Security Review
provides a detailed overview of these recent global market trends as well as specific
regional analyses for major importing markets.
This year’s report focuses on three topics. It first provides an update on LNG market
flexibility metrics based on a detailed assessment of recent contractual activity.
It analyses the evolution of flexibility in LNG supply procured by traditional Asian
buyers for their domestic markets, and how this flexibility could contribute to improving
security of supply for fast-growing markets elsewhere in Asia. Finally, this year’s
report includes a focus on north-western Europe’s gas security challenges as a major
source of domestic supply (the Groningen field in the Netherlands) is phased out.
Published on October 01, 2019