The global mall scale LNG market is anticipated to increase at a 7.91% CAGR to reach value USD 14.13 billion in 2029

Small- scale liquefied natural gas is a growing niche market. Small scale liquefied natural gas is the liquid form of liquefied natural gas, as opposed to the traditional model of regasification. The rising demand from the trucking and shipping industries for fuels which are more environmental friendly than fuelling with heavy fuel oil, marine gas oil, marine diesel oil, and others boasts significant potential to small scale LNG market. Small scale LNG increases the ship’s operational efficiency. Small scale LNG reduces carbon footprint significantly as LNG burns more cleanly than other fossil fuels such as petroleum and coal, small scale LNG is likely to gain further attraction as it produces less carbon content and also due to regulatory pressures for transition to lower-carbon energy intensify. Small scale LNG is addressing major advantage in end user industries such as off-grid power generation for residential needs in remote location, marine fuel (bunkering), and fuel for heavy road transport.

Some of the factors which favor the growth of small scale LNG are the price difference between LNG and oil, small scale LNG initiatives in comparison to large scale LNG projects that offers investors additional instant and potentially attractive returns in the medium term. And also small scale LNG is scalable which means operators can easily add capacity to serve increased demand while gaining supply chain synergies. Finally, the flexibility of small scale LNG which can stimulate demand in sections of the market which were previously unsuited to LNG as fuel source, for example off grid power generation on islands and remote areas. These factors made small scale LNG an ultimate way to meet short term fluctuations in demand.

In some of the regions, increasing environmental awareness has driven the use of lower carbon energy source, this helped the development of small scale LNG as a lower carbon energy particularly in region where the demand for natural gas is relatively small and that it is not connected by a pipeline, are factors in the spread of small-scale LNG. Interest in small scale LNG has increased in recent years because of its environmental potential to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) and sulphur dioxides (SOx) emissions. The use of small scale LNG is being driven by the low utilization of LNG terminals and the increasing demand for natural gas for industrial use due to greater environmental awareness. In the future, the strengthening of environmental regulations is highly likely to increase the demand for LNG, in particular as bunkering fuel.

Europe is expected to dominate the market

Europe is dominating in the implementation of small scale LNG projects. Maximum number of operational small scale LNG infrastructures are in this region due to large scale regasification terminals. In spite of sustained low oil prices and market uncertainty, there has been a significant increase in small scale LNG market in this region. Majorly, the strict regulations in the marine sector and huge subsidies on the use of LNG are stimulating the use of small-scale LNG as a bunker fuel in Europe. LNG becoming cost competitive, the need for cleaner fuel gathering pace and desire for energy companies to further expand and spread their LNG businesses, investors in the European region are becoming aware of the potential for small-scale LNG projects. Factors such as rising demand for LNG as an environmental friendly fuel source for ships as a part of IMO regulations to reduce the sulphur emissions by 2020 and also the increasing investments in the gas infrastructure is expected to increase the demand for small scale LNG in Europe. In Europe, 5 LNG bunkering vessels are in operation, 3 of which are BV-classed. The number of bunkering vessels will more than likely double in the next 2-3 years to keep up with demand.

Key Market Players

• The Linde Group

• Wartsila Oyj Abp

• Engie SA

• Royal Dutch Shell PLC

• General Electric

• PLUM ENERGY

• Excelerate Energy. L. P.

• Prometheus Energy Company

Following is a detailed snapshot of most prominent segments in global small scale LNG market

small scale LNG market Scope

Segmentation by type: Global Small Scale LNG Market

• Liquefaction Terminal

• Regasification Terminal

Segmentation based on mode of supply: Global Small Scale LNG Market

• Truck

• Transhipment and Bunkering

• Pipeline and Rail

• Others

Segmentation by Application: Global Small Scale LNG Market

• Transportation

• Power generation

• Industrial feedstock

• Marine fuel

• others

Regional Segmentation: Global Small Scale LNG Market

• North America

• Europe

• Asia Pacific

• Middle East

• Rest of the World

Key Market Movements

• Increasing environmental awareness has driven the use of lower carbon energy small scale LNG is driving this market

• The rising demand from the trucking and shipping industries fuels growth

• Utilization in end user industries such as off-grid power generation for residential needs in remote location further provide growth opportunities

• Energy cost advantage of small scale LNG over alternate energy sources bolsters market

• Rising number of LNG-fuelled fleet supplementing the demand

Key Questions Answered

• Market valuation in terms of value and volume of the global small scale LNG market

• through the forecast span, 2019-25

• Comprehensive market evaluation across major regions based on market segmentation

• A thorough rundown on market dynamics such as drivers, threats, challenges, and opportunities

• A clear analytical review of competition spectrum, highlighting industry forerunners, company as well as product portfolios

• Major highlights on winning marketing strategies adopted by leading players