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At the World LNG Summit in Istanbul Turkey, the Managing Director of Nigeria LNG (NLNG), Philip Mshelbila, delivered a forward-looking perspective on the evolving role of liquefied natural gas in the global energy landscape, arguing that LNG’s potential extends far beyond its traditional classification as a transition fuel.
“LNG has long been viewed as a transition fuel, but its potential goes far beyond that. With greater supply, stronger affordability, and deep decarbonization across the entire system, arguments for LNG as a true destination fuel become increasingly credible,” he said.
During his presentation, the NLNG MD outlined three essential enablers that will determine LNG’s long-term relevance in the global energy mix:
- Supply:
He noted that global LNG capacity is expanding rapidly—from major producers such as the United States and Qatar to new and emerging projects worldwide. Nigeria is also contributing significantly, with its 8-million-tonnes-per-annum Train 7 project currently under construction, further increasing global availability. - Affordability:
According to him, competitive pricing is key to sustaining demand, especially in developing economies. He warned that without affordability, emerging markets would continue reverting to cheaper but dirtier energy sources such as coal, a trend vividly demonstrated in 2022. - Decarbonization:
He emphasized that the LNG industry must commit to deep decarbonization across the entire value chain—from production and liquefaction to transportation and end use. Without significant emission reductions, LNG’s credibility as a long-term energy solution will remain at risk.
The NLNG MD concluded with a call to action for global stakeholders: “If we do not make LNG more affordable and more decarbonized, its reach will remain limited. But with technological improvements and continued investment, we can unlock its full potential for decades to come.”
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