BEIJING: Petroliam Nasional Bhd (PETRONAS) is accelerating efforts to strengthen its position as a reliable long-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) partner to China by expanding domestic gas development and its global production portfolio, aimed at ensuring consistent and sustainable energy supply for one of the world’s largest LNG importers.
PETRONAS LNG Marketing and Trading, Gas and Maritime Business vice-president Shamsairi Ibrahim said the company is building a global production network to provide alternative supply sources for China’s growing LNG demand.
“These projects include new domestic gas fields such as Timi, Kasawari and Jerun, while continuing development of Rosmari and Marjoram to ensure long-term supply from our LNG complex,” he told Bernama in conjunction with the World Gas Conference 2025 in Beijing.
Shamsairi said this comes as China’s LNG imports surged to around 77 million tonnes in 2024, up 8.1% from the previous year, driven by economic recovery and infrastructure expansion.
Looking ahead, China’s imports are expected to exceed 83 million tonnes in 2025, surpassing the previous record of 79 million tonnes set in 2021.
He said PETRONAS remains committed to reinforcing its presence in China and improving supply reliability in support of China’s dual energy goals, security and decarbonisation.
“Currently, PETRONAS accounts for around 10% of China’s LNG imports,” he said, noting that the company exported about eight million tonnes per annum to China in 2024.
As part of its long-term strategy, PETRONAS is leveraging its liquefaction capabilities at the PETRONAS LNG Complex in Bintulu, while expanding international projects to increase supply flexibility and resilience against market and geopolitical shifts.
“Internationally, we are expanding supply nodes from North America, especially with our first cargo from LNG Canada expected in mid-June 2025,” said Shamsairi.
The LNG Canada project will offer PETRONAS more flexibility in supplying the Asia-Pacific region, including China, while optimising Pacific routes and reducing reliance on any single source.
Beyond upstream and liquefaction, PETRONAS is enhancing its LNG shipping and delivery infrastructure to meet evolving demand, including marine, inland and off-grid applications.
“We’ve added three new vessels to support deliveries to Shenergy’s Wuhaogou terminal in Shanghai.
“We’re also providing an LNG virtual pipeline system for the Yangtze River and introducing LNG bunkering for marine transport,” he said.
PETRONAS is expanding its fleet with energy-efficient LNG carriers, with four currently under construction at the Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard in China.
