SINOLINK SECURITIES·2026-01-29 15:17Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly state an investment rating for the industry Core Insights - The global natural gas industry has undergone a complete cycle from demand collapse and low prices to supply shocks and price surges, leading to a structural reshaping of global trade patterns [2][13] - By 2025, the global natural gas market is expected to be in a state of "tight balance" with demand growth slowing to 0.9% and supply remaining tight due to reliance on North American LNG projects [2][4] - The LNG market is entering a "super expansion cycle" from 2026 to 2030, with an expected cumulative addition of approximately 202 million tons of LNG capacity, primarily concentrated in North America and the Middle East [3][47] Summary by Sections 1. Review of 2020-2024: From Supply Shock to Structural Reshaping of Trade Patterns - The global natural gas industry experienced extreme price fluctuations, with TTF spot prices rising from an average of about 4-5 USD/MMBtu in 2020 to 80-90 USD/MMBtu in August 2022, before falling back to around 10 USD/MMBtu by 2025 [13] - The EU's LNG import share increased from 9% in 2021 to about 19% in 2023, while the US became the largest LNG exporter with 88.4 million tons in 2024 [22] 2. Current Situation in 2025: Tight Balance and Regional Demand Differentiation - The global natural gas market is characterized by a "tight balance" with demand growth slowing to approximately 0.9%, driven by high prices and macroeconomic uncertainties [2][4] - North American LNG supply is expected to increase significantly, with major contributions from projects like Plaquemines and Corpus Christi [32][35] 3. Outlook for 2026-2030: Supply Side - LNG "Super Expansion Cycle" - 2026 is projected to be a critical turning point for the global LNG "super expansion cycle," with an expected cumulative addition of about 202 million tons of LNG capacity, representing a 40% increase from 2025 [3][47] - The supply landscape is shifting from a "multi-polar" to a "US-Qatar dual-core" model, enhancing the pricing power of LNG in global markets [3][47] 4. Outlook for 2026-2030: Demand Side - Moderate Growth and Regional Differentiation - Global natural gas demand is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of approximately 1.56% from 2025 to 2030, with significant growth in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly driven by China [4][41] - European demand is anticipated to decline due to renewable energy substitution and decarbonization policies, while North American demand growth is projected to be below 1% [4][41] 5. US Gas Prices: Price Upcycle Driven by LNG Exports and Power Demand - The US natural gas market is transitioning from a tight balance to a shortage, with Henry Hub prices expected to rise significantly by 2027, supported by LNG exports and power demand from data centers [5][6] - The cost of new natural gas wells in the US is projected to stabilize between 3-3.5 USD/MMBtu, providing a long-term price floor for Henry Hub [5][6]