Top 5 LNG companies
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is becoming an increasingly popular source of energy as the world moves towards cleaner fuels. LNG is natural gas that has been cooled to a liquid state, making it easier to transport and store. As a result, there are many companies around the world that specialize in the production and distribution of LNG. However, we dissect what we feel are the top five companies specializing in this based on their production capacity, market share, and global reach. In no particular order:
1. Shell (NYSE:SHEL)
Shell has a footprint in 70 countries, and was one of the first businesses to tackle exploration of LNG. The company is the largest producer of LNG in the world, with a production capacity of 22.5 million tons per annum as of 2021. Shell has a diverse portfolio of LNG projects, including a prelude floating liquefied natural gas facility, LNG in Canada, and polymers Monaca, which began in 2022 in Pennsylvania.
2. ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM)
ExxonMobil is one of the largest integrated fuels, lubricants and chemical companies in the world. It hosts a significant presence in the Asia-Pacific region, where it operates several LNG projects. The company plans to produce 27 million tons per annum. One recent investment is the $10 billion Golden Pass LNG project in the US where the company is partnering with QatarEnergy to export approximately 18 million tons from 2024.
3. Cheniere Energy
Cheniere Energy became the first American company to export LNG from the lower 48 states. The company operates the Sabine Pass LNG terminal in Louisiana, which has a production capacity of 27 mtpa. Cheniere Energy is working to deliver clean LNG and is working closely with Shell to supply it with carbon-neutral LNG cargoes through offset credits from Shell’s global nature-based projects.
4. TotalEnergies (NYSE:TTE)
Total rebranded to TotalEnergies in 2021 to reflect its new approach to cleaner energy. If combined with its third-party supply agreements, the business was dubbed the second largest LNG supplier in 2023. It has a significant presence in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific regions, where it operates several LNG projects.
5. Chevron (NYSE:CVX)
Chevron owns a 47.3 percent interest in Australia’s Gorgon LNG, which has the capability to produce 15.6 million metric tons of LNG a year. Currently, the business is looking into the potential of a floating LNG facility to ship some of the gas to Europe.
The global demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG) is on the rise as nations prioritize cleaner energy sources. The top five LNG companies highlighted here are at the forefront of this transition, with significant investments in LNG production and distribution worldwide. Their commitment to sustainability, coupled with their extensive global reach and production capacity, positions them as key players in shaping the future of energy.