This article is co-authored by our Australian colleagues Martin Irwin, Claire Foster, Julian Traill, Dylan McKimmie and Troy McKelvie.

Following the Norton Rose Fulbright attendance to Gastech 2024 in Houston, it is timely to reflect on the future for gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Australia and the Asia-Pacific (APAC). 

Listening to the presentations at Gastech, two clear themes emerged. First, there is confidence in the demand for gas continuing at least through the 2040’s. This confidence reflects the demand forecasts, particularly in the APAC context, for South and Southeast Asia. It also reflects the critical role of gas in the energy security, and therefore the geo-politics, of the region. 

Second, in meeting that demand, gas production, particularly coupled with the application of CCS technologies and a focus on reducing emissions in the production process, could contribute to the global drive to decarbonise through lower carbon LNG and in replacing higher emitting energy sources, particularly coal. 

Despite the important role that  gas and LNG are to play in the energy needs of economies in Australia and APAC, there are still some elements to be mindful of. These include:

• striking the right chord for an equitable allocation of the costs of decommissioning gas networks and investing to strengthen the power network in Australia is key.
• various factors, including population growth and the rise in standard of living, signal an increase in LNG demand for the next 30 years in APAC.
• the effectiveness of CCS technologies to reduce emissions remains contested, especially at the scale required.

You can read our full summary here: