Report: Global LNG liquefaction capacity to grow 94% by 2021

The global LNG liquefaction capacity is expected to increase from 386.6 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) in 2017 to 750.5mtpa by 2021, according to a report by GlobalData.

Titled ‘H2 2017 Global Capacity and Capital Expenditure Outlook for LNG Liquefaction Terminals – Floating Terminals in Congo Republic and PNG Announced Amidst Project Cancellations in US and Canada’, the report states that North America will have the highest planned liquefaction capacity growth.

The region is expected to add 77% or 288mtpa of liquefaction capacity by 2021. North America is expected to be followed by the Former Soviet Union and Oceania with capacity additions of 38mtpa and 27mtpa respectively.

North America is also expected to lead in capital expenditure (capex) with a proposed capex of $326.8bn, followed by Oceania with $57.6bn and the Former Soviet Union with $44.6bn.

In terms of countries, the US is projected to lead globally with 173mtpa of planned liquefaction capacity additions, followed by Canada and Russia with 115mtpa and 38mtpa respectively.

In terms of capex, Canada, US and Australia are projected to lead globally with $162.2bn, $157.2bn and $46.1bn respectively.

In terms of companies, Orca LNG, Cheniere Energy and Kitsault Energy are expected to have the most LNG liquefaction capacity additions with capacities of 24mtpa, 22.5mtpa and 20mtpa respectively.

Gazprom is projected to have the highest proposed capex of $23.1bn, followed by Woodside Petroleum and Shell with $21bn and $20.1bn respectively.

The terminals with the highest liquefaction capacity additions include Orca Floating, Cameron II, and Corpus Christi with 24mtpa, 23.5mtpa and 22.5mtpa respectively.

Canada, Sarita, and Ichthys terminals will lead globally in terms of capex of $30bn, $22.5bn and $18.5bn respectively.

Two new LNG liquefaction terminals were announced, one was stalled and four terminals cancelled compared to the previous report published in April.