Qatari LNG exports to China jumped to new record highs in 2022 when new large-scale contracts with Sinopec and CNOOC came into force. Having never before hit 10mn t/y, they jumped to 16.1mn t/y that year. And the gains have picked up again this year with volumes set to come in at around 19mn tons, according to MEES calculations based on Kpler data.
This is despite China relying on both its domestic output and record volumes of overland piped gas, with large gains from Russia, to meet growing demand (MEES, 1 November). Currently, Qatar sits behind Australia as the largest supplier of LNG to China. According to import data, China imported over 24mn tons in 2023 from Australia, a level it is set to surpass by at least 2mn tons this year. (CONTINUED - 772 WORDS)
