According to Wood Mackenzie, burgeoning US liquefied natural gas supplies accounted for almost 7% of China’s LNG imports in March this year, and a recent Forbes article by Jude Clemente predicts significant growth for US LNG imports to China over the next few decades. Why? He cites factors such as: natural gas pricing, air pollution and the ongoing development of China’s economy. Clemente prophesises: “Just imagine the possibilities: if the Chinese ever consume like Americans, global gas demand would effectively double.”

To investigate further, Leah Kinthaert asked several global energy thought leaders what they think LNG demand in China will look like in the short and long term and where they think US LNG might fit in.