Global LNG Demand to Surge 65% by 2050, Shell Forecasts
Shell LNG Outlook 2026: Global Demand Projected to Rise 65% to Nearly 700 Million Tonnes by 2050
Shell's annual LNG report forecasts strong long-term demand growth driven by Asia, while the Strait of Hormuz conflict temporarily disrupted supply and lifted spot prices in 2026.
What Readers Should Know
- Global LNG demand is projected to rise by 65% by 2050, reaching nearly 700 million tonnes per year, per Shell's LNG Outlook 2026.
- Global LNG trade totaled 422 million tonnes in 2025 and was expected to grow further in 2026.
- Middle East conflict disrupted Strait of Hormuz shipping, temporarily affecting LNG supply and pushing spot prices higher.
- Shell forecasts approximately 180 million tonnes of new annual LNG supply capacity online by 2030.
- South and Southeast Asia are expected to account for nearly 40% of global LNG imports by 2050.
- An additional 200 million tonnes per year of new liquefaction capacity will be needed through the 2040s.
MONTREAL (Oil Monster): Global demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG) is projected to rise by 65% by 2050, reaching nearly 700 million tonnes annually, according to Shell's LNG Outlook 2026.
Global LNG trade totaled 422 million tonnes in 2025 and was expected to increase further in 2026. However, the conflict in the Middle East severely disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, temporarily affecting LNG supply. The supply disruption pushed spot LNG prices higher.
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Increased liquefaction capacity in North America, improved output from existing facilities, and relatively slower LNG imports across Asia helped offset supply losses from the Middle East.
Shell expects global LNG trade in 2026 to remain broadly in line with 2025 levels if shipping through the Strait of Hormuz normalizes during the summer. The company anticipates stronger growth from 2027 onward.
180 Million Tonnes of New Supply Capacity Expected by 2030
Shell forecasts that approximately 180 million tonnes of new annual LNG supply capacity will come online by 2030. South and Southeast Asia are expected to account for nearly 40% of global LNG imports by 2050, mainly driven by rising energy demand in the region.
Additional 200 Million Tonnes Per Year Needed Through the 2040s
Looking beyond 2030, Shell estimates that an additional 200 million tonnes per year of new LNG liquefaction capacity will be required to meet rising global demand through the 2040s.
Frequently Asked Questions — Shell LNG Outlook 2026
How much is global LNG demand expected to grow by 2050?
According to Shell's LNG Outlook 2026, global LNG demand is projected to rise by 65%, reaching nearly 700 million tonnes per year by 2050.
What was global LNG trade volume in 2025?
Global LNG trade totaled 422 million tonnes in 2025, according to Shell's report.
How did the Middle East conflict affect LNG supply in 2026?
The conflict in the Middle East severely disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, temporarily reducing LNG supply and pushing spot LNG prices higher. Increased North American liquefaction capacity and improved output from existing facilities helped offset the losses.
Which regions will drive the most LNG demand growth?
South and Southeast Asia are expected to account for nearly 40% of global LNG imports by 2050, driven primarily by rising energy demand in those regions.
How much new LNG liquefaction capacity will be needed beyond 2030?
Shell estimates that an additional 200 million tonnes per year of new LNG liquefaction capacity will be required to meet rising global demand through the 2040s, on top of the roughly 180 million tonnes per year of capacity expected to come online by 2030.