LNG project final investments set to slow in 2026 after record year, says Wood Mackenzie

  • Gas
  • January 22, 2026

After a record year for liquefied natural gas final investment decisions, research and consultancy firm Wood Mackenzie expects FID momentum to slow sharply in 2026. Only a small number of projects are likely to reach sanction, roughly half the level seen in 2025.

Nine LNG projects took FID in 2025, totalling 72 million tonnes per year. In contrast, Wood Mackenzie forecasts that only four to five projects will reach FID this year, as developers reassess timing amid a softer market outlook.

The slowdown comes as the LNG market absorbs a wave of capacity already under construction. Around 225 million tonnes per year of LNG supply is currently being built globally, with nearly 30 million tonnes expected to enter the market in 2026.

That expansion is expected to weigh on prices, with the researching consultancy firm forecasting spot LNG prices could fall below oil-linked parity, weakening the case for new project sanctions.

… to continue reading this article and more, please login, register for free, or consider subscribing to gasworld

You’ve reached your weekly limit to access free articles!

Want to keep reading?

Please register for free and create a profile to gain access to this full article and gasworld’s daily news.

For access to more content including our monthly digital magazines, subscriber-only features or columns and all our other gasworld archives, please consider subscribing.

Alternatively, you can continue reading more articles as a guest on Thursday, 29th January at 11:29AM

   

  • Related Posts

    • Gas
    • August 7, 2026
    CO2 storage key to reliable supply for US food and beverage manufacturers

    By 17 min ago 3 min read Investing in greater carbon dioxide (CO2) storage capacity could be one of the most effective ways for food and beverage manufacturers to protect…

    • Gas
    • August 7, 2026
    Analysis: Why BP’s Archaea exit is not a vote against biomethane

    Analysis: Why BP’s Archaea exit is not a vote against biomethane | Biomethane | gasworld ©Shutterstock By 36 min ago 1 min read BP’s decision to put Archaea Energy has…

    Have You Seen?

    US Energy Firms Leave Rig Count Unchanged in Latest Week, Baker Hughes Says

    • August 8, 2026
    US Energy Firms Leave Rig Count Unchanged in Latest Week, Baker Hughes Says

    US Senate Passes Sweeping Russia Energy Sanctions, Next Stop US House

    • August 8, 2026
    US Senate Passes Sweeping Russia Energy Sanctions, Next Stop US House

    Hundreds of Millions in Grid Deposits Linger in Uncertainty Following Texas Data Center Pause

    • August 8, 2026
    Hundreds of Millions in Grid Deposits Linger in Uncertainty Following Texas Data Center Pause

    India Remains Dependent on Imports for 90% of Oil Demand

    • August 7, 2026
    India Remains Dependent on Imports for 90% of Oil Demand

    Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey to Sign Defense Deal

    • August 7, 2026
    Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey to Sign Defense Deal

    ADNOC Buys 11 Supertankers for $1.3 Billion to Expand Export Fleet

    • August 7, 2026
    ADNOC Buys 11 Supertankers for $1.3 Billion to Expand Export Fleet

    Libya Aims to Boost Oil Production to 2 Million Bpd by Early 2030s

    • August 7, 2026
    Libya Aims to Boost Oil Production to 2 Million Bpd by Early 2030s

    US Judge Orders Pentagon to Lift Wind Project Freeze

    • August 7, 2026
    US Judge Orders Pentagon to Lift Wind Project Freeze

    Trump Unveils Trade Actions to Compete with China on Solar and Chips

    • August 7, 2026
    Trump Unveils Trade Actions to Compete with China on Solar and Chips

    SpaceX to Build Natural Gas Power Plants for Texas Chip Factory

    • August 7, 2026
    SpaceX to Build Natural Gas Power Plants for Texas Chip Factory