Europe’s Energy Crunch
China’s Growing Appetite for LNG Is a Long-Term Concern for Europe
Europe made it through winter without an energy crisis thanks to a helping hand from China. The Asian country’s restrictive anti-Covid policies constrained economic growth and its appetite for liquefied natural gas, freeing up supply for elsewhere.
That assistance could turn into influence as China rushes to secure LNG for the coming years, signing the most long-term purchase agreements of any nation. Firms based in the country account for roughly 15% of all contracts that’ll begin delivering LNG supply through 2027, according to an analysis of BloombergNEF data.
China Increases Control Over Long-Term LNG Supplies
The Asian nation is rushing to sign contracts to secure LNG for decades
Even if those Chinese buyers end up reselling many of the cargoes to the highest bidders in Europe — as they did in the past year — they would still be taking charge over a hefty chunk of the crucial fuel. That’s a trend seen in many commodities, from copper to rare earth metals.
China is estimated to have resold at least 5.5 million tons of LNG last year, according to ENN Energy’s monthly research report in January. That’s equivalent to roughly 6% of total spot market volume, making the country an enormous swing supplier.
“If not for the lower Chinese LNG demand in 2022, the global gas market — and Europe’s energy security — would be in a far more perilous state,” said Saul Kavonic, an energy analyst at Credit Suisse Group AG.
China has signed more contracts with US export projects than any other nation since 2021, according to BloombergNEF data, and Sinopec inked one of the LNG industry’s largest deals ever with Qatar last year. More deals are on the horizon, as firms are in negotiations with exporters in the US, and also locked in talks with Qatar, Oman, Malaysia and Brunei, according to people with knowledge of the discussions.
“China is evolving from being a rapidly growing import market to playing a more flexible role with an increased ability to balance the global LNG market,” Shell Plc said in its annual LNG outlook report released last week.
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