Russia, China lead global small-scale LNG liquefaction capacity additions by 2025

Russia and China are expected to lead the global small-scale LNG liquefaction capacity additions, together contributing 43% of the total small-scale liquefaction capacity additions between 2021 and 2025, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company. 

GlobalData’s report, 'Global Small-Scale LNG Liquefaction Capacity and Capital Expenditure Outlook, 2021–2025 - Russia and China Lead Global Capacity Additions’, reveals that Russia is expected to lead globally with a new build small-scale LNG liquefaction capacity addition of 2,840 ktpa (kilo tonnes per annum) by 2025 while expansion projects account for the rest with 100 ktpa. 

Bhargavi Gandham, Oil and Gas Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “In Russia, 16 new build small-scale LNG liquefaction projects are likely to start operations by 2025. Out of these, three are planned with identified development plans and the remaining 13 are early-stage announced projects. Portovaya is the largest upcoming project in the country with a capacity of 1,500 ktpa. 

“Russia is adding significant small-scale LNG capacity to meet the growing domestic demand, such as for powering locomotives and exports to countries such as Poland.”

GlobalData identifies China to be the second-highest contributor to the global small-scale LNG liquefaction capacity additions by 2025 with a total capacity of 2,810 ktpa by 2025. All the capacity additions in the region are through new build projects.  ‘Xi an’ project, with a capacity of 1,400 ktpa, primarily drives the small-scale liquefaction capacity in the country accounting for about 50% of the total capacity additions. 

Oman is expected to add third largest small-scale LNG liquefaction capacity additions globally with 2,000 ktpa by 2025. Among the new build projects, Port of Sohar and Oman III are the largest, each with a capacity of 1,000 ktpa. Both the terminals are expected to start operations in 2024 and 2023, respectively.”