By Ejekwu Chidiebere
- Qatar is ready to receive 16, 000 trade visitors, 4, 000 conference delegates, 300+ exhibitors across 30, 000 super exhibition spaces
- Speakers with years of diverse industry experience and intellectual uniqueness will be in attendance to connect various positions
It is no doubt a period of heightened resource security reawakening; no region wants to be left on the sidelines, each is striving to tell the story, and not be told the story. Nevertheless, there is no single storyline about the future of energy. From across divides and diversities (centrifugal), stories assemble (centripetal) one after the other, and laid on a table, like a jigsaw, and tasking all heads to be on the board, and all hands on the desk – Ejekwu Chidiebere
The final investment decisions (FID) for new LNG projects according to Rystad Energy surged in 2025. Rystad also predicated lower international prices for natural gas which according to its recent Outlook would follow the potential rise in gas supply in the coming years. Recall that Russia cut off gas supplies to Europe following the escalation of its war with Ukraine, thereby opening a gap that further highlighted LNG as a better alternative for long distance gas trading engagements, while also bringing to the fore the tendency of its possibility of “reshaping global gas trade and bolstering energy security.”.
There is currently, according to the Outlook, an unprecedented 300 billion cubic metres (bcm) of new annual LNG export capacity scheduled to start operation by 2030, “a (50% in available global LNG supply).” According to the report, around half of this export capacity is being built in the United States and a further 20% in Qatar, followed by Canada and others, thus raising concerns as to where all the new volumes will go – Europe or China – both countries which have of course been primary destination points for LNG supply over the past decades.
Qatar is pushing the global Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) conversation for obvious reasons. This is the 21st edition. First, it is structurally, geologically, commercially, and geopolitically significant, says industry sources, and secondly, it has the resource advantage, and thirdly, it has had early investment, and last but not the least, it has strategic policy choices.
Qatar is rated for its massive natural gas reserves, regarded as one of the largest in the world. The country shares the North Field with Iran, also regarded as the largest non-associated natural gas field on earth, a field estimated to provide Qatar with more than 13–15% of global proven gas reserves. So it prides itself in abundance, low-cost and easy-to-extract gas which also, analysts believe, gives it a “structurally competitive advantage in LNG.”
Energy Window International (Media) gathered that it started investing heavily in LNG infrastructure in the 1990s and 2000s, far ahead of many competitors, built mega LNG trains rated as one of the largest globally. By 2006 – 2007 it has already become the world’s largest LNG exporter, a position the country has held, sources confirmed, for more than a decade. Sources maintain that the country has strategic, centralized and consistent policy and governance structure, and “no domestic political instability ever disrupted its gas operations.”
By being early, Qatar secured long-term contracts, built trust with Asian buyers, and dominated LNG shipping and liquefaction capacity. It is currently undergoing, Energy Window International (Media) has learnt, the largest LNG expansion project globally, which will raise capacity from77 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to 126 MTPA by 2030, possibly up to 142 MTPA later, and an expansion which is reportedly fundamental as the country inches toward securing its LNG leadership. It is also expected to provide enormous room for long-term supply deals into the 2050s, and of course help it offset what could have been a stiff competition from the US, Australia, and possibly Mozambique. And QatarEnergy (Qatar/Qatargas) has been behind the entire growth and expansion engagement. Qatar is also rated to have built, and controls a massive fleet of Q-Flex and Q-Max LNG carriers, described as among the largest in the world, which according to sources implies lower transportation costs, control of logistics from wellhead to customer, and of course high reliability in supply.
With the theme, “Leading LNG: Powering Today and Tomorrow”, the 21st International Conference & Exhibition on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG26) holding in Doha Qatar from February 2nd until the 5th 2026, will seek to address a number of issues including,
Geopolitics and the Future of LNG
LNG according to most analysis is expected to continue to play a crucial role in maintaining energy security amidst an uncertain world. Thus this session will bring together experts to examine:
- The impact of geopolitical events, and escalating tariffs in major economies on LNG markets
- Key geopolitical risks that could significantly influence the LNG industry in the coming years
- Strategies for industry players to navigate and thrive in an increasingly complex global landscape
- The evolving role of LNG in fostering energy security
Tackling Methane Emissions in the LNG Sector
With LNG’s expanding role in the energy mix and as global efforts to reduce emissions gain momentum, addressing methane intensity across the LNG value chain has become a critical focus. This session will examine:
- The current state of methane emissions in the LNG industry and the varied pace of reduction efforts
- Best practices and innovative technologies for effectively reducing methane emissions throughout the LNG value chain
- Strategies for industry-wide collaboration to accelerate methane reduction initiatives
- How the LNG industry can engage with policymakers to develop effective regulations and support the role of gas in the energy transition
- The importance of establishing clear and consistent reporting standards for methane emissions
LNG Shipping in an Evolving Energy Landscape
The LNG shipping industry is actually facing a complex mix of challenges that will define its future. What are the key issues driving the sector’s transformation and what are the short- and long-term strategies needed to maintain a competitive edge? This panel session will feature the shipping industry’s top voices to provide answers to the questions below:
- How do LNG shipowners and operators balance long-term regulatory compliance with operational feasibility?
- What impact do LNG demand fluctuations have on freight rates, trade routes, and long-term contracts?
- How can the LNG shipping industry attract talent and leverage AI, blockchain, and automation for greater efficiency?
- How can the industry provide investors with confidence that LNG shipping will provide stable, long-term returns?
The Growth of North America’s Gas Market
With the North American gas market projected to grow by over 30% in the next decade, investments across the value chain are set to accelerate as industry players position themselves for new opportunities. This session will explore:
- The evolution of the North American gas market, from rising data centre demand to expanding LNG exports
- Key investment opportunities across the gas value chain
- The impact of North America’s evolving market on global gas and LNG dynamics
How ESG Regulation can Impact LNG Trade
Regulations on emissions and ESG related matters is believed to have continued to evolve and are expected to impact LNG trade across the globe. Experts are already confirmed who will explore how evolving regulation of CO2 and methane emissions will impact LNG flows, potentially creating a two-tier LNG market, and how wider ESG regulations may create unintended consequences for security of gas/LNG supply
How are Buyers Redefining the LNG Landscape?
As the LNG market evolves through cycles of volatility and transition, global buyers are at the centre of defining the next phase of growth. This session gathers senior leaders from utilities and importers to explore how pricing structures, supply partnerships, and strategic procurement models are adapting to a fast-changing global landscape. Speakers here will attempt to simplify:
- How buyer strategies are evolving in volatile markets
- The future of LNG pricing and contract structures
- Partnership models driving long-term energy security and sustainability
Fuelling the Future: Navigating the Evolving Landscape of LNG Project Financing
In an ever-evolving global energy landscape, LNG project financing faces new challenges and opportunities in both established and emerging markets. During this session, leaders from across the industry will:
- Assess the current attractiveness of LNG investments in light of shifting geopolitical dynamics and market conditions
- Explore innovative financing strategies and commercial arrangements to support project development
- Evaluate how project financing approaches impact the affordability of natural gas, particularly for consumers in emerging economies
- Discuss the influence of ESG considerations and the energy transition on LNG project financing and development
The Continued Evolution of LNG
The range of entities trading LNG physically and financially continues to expand as volatility is expected to remain a long-term feature of the LNG business. Listen to industry eggheads explore:
- The characteristics of LNG traders that are successful on a sustained basis
- Why legacy financial players are playing in physical as well as financial markets
- The role that large NOCs are now playing in terms of LNG trading and how this will evolve
How to Explore Commercial Innovations in LNG Contracting
As the quantum and diversity of participants in the global LNG business continues to grow, and with volatility and uncertainty expected to remain a feature of the market, innovation in the commercial arrangements for contracting continues to widen. On this panel are commercial industry experts to investgate:
- How portfolio players and traders are developing their offerings
- To what extent new pricing constructs are evolving
Powering AI: Meeting the Energy Demands of the AI Data Centre Boom
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is fuelling an unprecedented boom in global data centre construction – driving massive, concentrated energy needs that are testing the limits of existing power infrastructure. Meeting these high-load demands has become a critical challenge as AI accelerates across industries. LNG is emerging as a reliable, scalable, and readily deployable solution to power these digital hubs, providing flexibility and speed where traditional grid expansion cannot keep pace. This session explores:
- The role of small-scale LNG, Floating Storage Regasification Units (FSRUs), and modular generation in enabling rapid and resilient data centre deployment
- How investment, policy, and infrastructure considerations are shaping LNG’s place in the digital economy
- Ways LNG can bridge the gap between soaring demand, energy security, and rapid deployment needs
LNG: The Catalyst for Hydrogen and Ammonia
Future lower-carbon alternatives: in this conversation, the panel will discuss how LNG can enable a manageable introduction of hydrogen and ammonia, exploring:
- Lower-carbon production: LNG’s role in producing blue hydrogen and ammonia in conjunction with carbon capture and storage
- Making progress now: deploying mature technologies for blue hydrogen and ammonia while renewable hydrogen and ammonia solutions continue to develop
- Infrastructure compatibility: can existing LNG infrastructure be adapted for hydrogen and ammonia use and reduce costs and the need for entirely new systems?
- Industry template: lessons from the LNG industry and markets to guide the technological and commercial development of new uses and markets for hydrogen and ammonia
Digital Transformation in the LNG Industry
Exploring the strategic innovations and future directions in digital transformation, this session will dig deep into how cutting-edge technologies are revolutionizing the LNG industry:
- How AI and machine learning can optimize LNG operations, enhance predictive maintenance, and improve supply chain efficiency
- Strengthening cybersecurity measures to protect critical LNG infrastructure from cyber threats and ensure the integrity of digital operations
- Implementing digital twin technology to create virtual replicas of LNG assets, enabling better asset management and operational efficiency
Key aspects of the theme once again will pivot on,
- Innovation & Technology: Exploring new technologies and solutions for the LNG sector.
- Sustainability: Addressing the role of LNG in a changing energy mix.
- Collaboration: Bringing together industry leaders, decision-makers, and experts.
- Market Dynamics: Discussing trends, challenges, and opportunities in the global LNG market.
Expectations once again will include,
- A comprehensive look at the entire LNG value chain, from production to delivery.
- Discussions on powering AI, commercial innovations, and energy security, including networking.