清洁空气需求推动LNG需求强劲增长

据hellenic shipping news2月26日报道,壳牌(Shell)最新的年度LNG展望显示，亚洲对清洁燃料的强劲需求继续推动2018年液化天然气(LNG)使用的快速增长，全球需求增加2700万吨，至3.19亿吨。壳牌预计到2020年需求将达到3.84亿吨左右。

到2019年，全球LNG供应将增加3500万吨。预计欧洲和亚洲都将吸收所有这些额外供应。2018年新增长期LNG合同的反弹，可能会恢复对液化项目的投资。根据目前的需求预测，壳牌仍预计供应将在本世纪20年代中期趋紧。

为改善城市空气质量，中国在2018年的LNG进口量激增了1600万吨，比2017年增加了40%。

在供应方面，澳大利亚LNG出口在2018年底赶上长期领先供应商卡塔尔，预计2019年将增加1000万吨。这两个国家都具备向亚洲迅速发展的经济体供应天然气的良好条件，它们需要通过取代燃煤发电和供暖来改善空气质量。

过去几年，中国LNG进口量的持续飙升，帮助改善了中国一些大城市的空气质量。壳牌公司的综合天然气和新能源总监Maarten Wetselaar说：“中国成功地为数百万人提供了更清洁的空气，这表明天然气在向世界提供更多、更清洁的能源方面可以发挥关键作用。” 

“我们看到，2018年亚洲LNG需求增长再次超出预期，我们预计这种强劲增长将持续下去。对新供应项目的投资正在回升，但很快将需要更多。”

过去几十年，随着越来越多的国家转向天然气以满足日益增长的能源需求，LNG在全球能源体系中发挥了重要作用。LNG贸易从2000年的1亿吨增加到2018年的3.19亿吨。

孔丽炜   摘译自   hellenic shipping news

原文如下：

Need For Cleaner Air Driving Strong LNG Demand Growth

Strong demand for cleaner-burning fuel in Asia continued to drive rapid growth in liquefied natural gas (LNG) use in 2018, with global demand rising by 27 million tonnes to 319 million tonnes, according to Shell’s latest annual LNG Outlook. Shell expects demand to reach about 384 million tonnes in 2020.

Global LNG supply is set to rise by 35 million tonnes in 2019. Both Europe and Asia are expected to absorb all this additional supply. A rebound in new long-term LNG contracting in 2018 could revive investment in liquefaction projects. based on current demand projections, Shell still expects supplies to tighten in mid-2020s.

ongoing efforts to improve urban air quality saw China’s imports of LNG surge by 16 million tonnes in 2018, up by 40% from 2017.

On the supply side, Australian LNG exports caught up with those of long-time leading supplier Qatar towards the end of 2018 and are expected to rise by 10 million tonnes in 2019. Both countries are well-positioned to supply rapidly developing economies across Asia with gas they need to improve air quality by displacing coal-fired power and heating.

“The continued surge in Chinese LNG imports has helped improve air quality in some of its biggest cities over the last few years. China’s success in making the air cleaner for millions of people shows the critical role that natural gas can play in providing more and cleaner energy to the world,” said Maarten Wetselaar, Integrated Gas and New Energies Director at Shell.

“We saw Asian LNG demand growth exceed expectations again in 2018 and we expect this strong growth to continue. Investment in new supply projects is picking up, but more will be needed soon.”

LNG has played an important role in the global energy system over the last few decades, as an increasing number of countries have turned to natural gas to meet their growing energy needs. LNG trade increased from 100 million tonnes in 2000 to 319 million tonnes in 2018.