Natural Gas and LNG are HOT HOT HOT
Summer is finally here in the Northern Hemisphere and just like the temperatures, action in the market is on a hot streak with numerous LNG trade deals being signed and key infrastructure projects on the horizon are receiving approvals, moving them closer to a positive final investment decision (FID). In this edition of RBAC’s newsletter, we dive into what’s moving the market and how industry professionals can stay ahead.
We have a quick brief covering top stories in the market, our upcoming seminar in Houston on June 11th, why market modeling is essential for success, takeaways from the recent FLAME conference, review of the EIA’s 2025 edition of their Annual Energy Outlook, the state of natural gas and LNG in Indonesia, as well as highlights from a podcast Dr. Robert Brooks took part in. We’ve said our newsletter is full of insights before, but this month it’s bursting at the seams.
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Quick Brief – Top Stories in Natural Gas and LNG from Around the World
- The U.S. Department of Energy has granted LNG export approvals to the next phase of the Port Arthur LNG project, increasing the total capacity to 26 mtpa.
- NextDecade signed a tentative 20-year LNG sale and purchase agreement (SPA) with JERA regarding the Rio Grande LNG project. JERA will purchase 2.5 mtpa of LNG. However, as Train 5 of this project has not reached FID yet, this agreement will only be executed if positive FID occurs.
- Cheniere Energy announces purchase of 140,000 MMBtu per day of natural gas from Canadian Natural Resources over the next 15 years starting in 2030.
- Williams is reviving plans for two shelved natural gas pipeline projects in the Northeastern United States. The Constitution pipeline (which would run from Pennsylvania into New York) and an expansion of the Transcontinental pipeline.
- More progress is being made towards FID for the Alaska LNG project, Worley is handling a final cost estimate for the engineering side of the ambitious project.
Announcements
2025 June Seminar
Looking to increase your natural gas and LNG knowledge? Will you be in Houston on June 11th? RBAC, Inc. is hosting a seminar covering the latest trends and outlooks in the North American and global natural gas markets. Register today at:
https://rbac.com/rbac-june-seminar/
What can you expect:
- North American Natural Gas Outlook: Understand the key drivers and forecasts for the North American natural gas market, including price forecasts, pipeline flows, and storage utilization.
- Global Gas Outlook: Gain insights into global gas prices, LNG regasification, interregional pipeline flows, and gas storage dynamics.
- Networking with your colleagues in the energy industry
- Find out about the latest and best in tools to model the natural gas and LNG market
Articles & Media
From Guesswork to Strategy: Why Energy Modeling Is Mission-Critical
An asset acquisition. A pipeline expansion. A long-term LNG contract. Even a hedging strategy or a power generation asset planning decision can lock in costs—or opportunity—for years to come. With the weight of these choices, topflight executives count on advanced methods to guide billion-dollar strategies.
Read: From Guesswork to Strategy: Why Energy Modeling Is Mission-Critical
FLAME Conference 2025 Takeaways
At the FLAME 2025 conference in Amsterdam, RBAC’s COO, James Brooks and Director Dr. Ning Lin, discussed the state of the energy transition, geopolitics and the role natural gas and LNG will play in a lower carbon future. Dr. Lin spoke on ‘With limited upside for global LNG demand in 2024-25, will LNG continue to play the pivotal role for energy security?’ as well as participated in panel discussions covering LNG supply and gas flows in Europe.
Rethinking Energy Demand Through 2050: Review of the EIA Annual Energy Outlook 2025
As energy planners and market participants look toward the future, long-term forecasts like the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) Annual Energy Outlook (AEO) play a central role in shaping expectations and strategic planning. But what happens when the assumptions fundamental to those forecasts are vastly changed due to rapid shifts in the technology landscape, policy, and demand?
Read: Rethinking Energy Demand Through 2050: Review of the EIA Annual Energy Outlook 2025
Indonesia’s LNG Rebalance: Demand, Supply, and Global Impacts
Why is major LNG exporter Indonesia diverting LNG intended for the global market towards its domestic market? Additionally, how will the trade war between the U.S. and China affect Indonesia from an energy perspective? There’s a real story behind the goings on of the world’s 4th most populous country.
Read: Indonesia’s LNG Rebalance: Demand, Supply, and Global Impacts
Geopolitical Implications of Natural Gas Supply and Shipping Challenges
In a recent episode of the Oil Ground Up podcast, Dr. Robert Brooks, founder and CEO of RBAC, joined host Ian Wagner for a wide-ranging conversation about the state of global LNG and natural gas markets. With decades of experience in energy modeling and scenario forecasting, Dr. Brooks brought clarity to an industry facing rapid transformation—from U.S.–China trade friction to chokepoints like the Suez Canal.
Read: Geopolitical Implications of Natural Gas Supply and Shipping Challenges
Essential Reading
Taken from the treasure trove of the writings from our energy experts. Here read technical insights and far-sighted analysis relevant through the lens of today’s energy.
Natural Gas Price Predictions for 2025: A Bullish or Bearish Market?
We halfway through 2025, did our natural gas price predictions made in 2024 hold up?
Read: Natural Gas Price Predictions for 2025: A Bullish or Bearish Market?
Food For Thought
Read some of our engaging commentary on social media and join us in the conversation.
Putin, Power, and LNG
“While Russia retains resource strength, it lacks the binding long-term offtake deals needed to scale. Putin’s strategy bet on resilience and flexibility, but without contracts in place, future growth remains uncertain.”
RBAC is the market-leading supplier of global and regional gas and LNG market simulation systems used by the energy industry and related government agencies for over two decades. The GPCM® Market Simulator for North American Gas and LNG™ is the most widely used natural gas market simulation system in North America. RBAC’s G2M2® Market Simulator for Global Gas and LNG™ has been instrumental in understanding evolving global gas and LNG market dynamics and is vital to fully grasp and leverage the interrelationship between the North American and global gas markets.
