Context & challenges
LNG plays a key role in diversifying Europe’s supplies: in 2023, the European Union imported 134 billion m³ of it, or 42% of its total gas imports [1].
For a supplier of a product for the LNG chain, the challenge was to measure the accessibility of highly heterogeneous markets, taking into account the regulations and economic drivers specific to each country.
SURFEO was mandated to analyse 80 countries, draw up a shortlist, produce country profiles and test the conclusions with customers in the field.
From a global overview to field validation
80 countries analysed
20 countries shortlisted
10 field interviews
Qualification funnel based on the volumes explicitly provided in the project sheet.
80countries covered by the market analysis
20countries selected for the shortlist
10customer interviews conducted in the field
42 %share of LNG in EU gas imports in 2023 [1]
Our intervention
01 · FrameDefine the market accessibility criteria.
02 · CompareAnalyse regulations and economic drivers in 80 countries.
03 · PrioritiseDraw up a shortlist of 20 countries and their profiles.
04 · ValidateConduct 10 field interviews, benchmark and recommend.
European LNG remains a major market, but one that is being reshaped
Growing capacity and the diversification of sources are improving market access, while European demand and long-term commitments call for a country-by-country analysis.
18
Russia to EUbcm imported
2023 volumes. Source: ACER, analysis of the European LNG market, 2024 monitoring report [1]. Proportional scales.
Capacity.
Since 2022, more than 50 bcm of import capacity has been added in the EU [1].
Flexibility.
Around 75% of new European capacity consists of floating storage and regasification units [1].
Global supply.
More than 200 Mt of export capacity could be added by 2030 [1].
Outcomes delivered
A comparative view of the accessibility of 80 national markets.
A shortlist of 20 countries, complemented by country profiles.
Ten customer interviews documented in written reports.
A competitive benchmark, conclusions and recommendations.
Sources
[1] ACER, Analysis of the European LNG market developments, Market Monitoring Report 2024. 2023 data: 134 bcm imported by the EU, 42% of gas imports, France 30 bcm, Russia 18 bcm; new capacity since 2022 and 2030 outlook. https://www.acer.europa.eu/monitoring/MMR/LNG_market_developments_2024
[2] S&P Global Commodity Insights, European LNG imports tracker, updated 17 February 2025. In 2024, Europe imported 100.5 Mt of LNG, including 16.1 Mt from Russia. https://www.spglobal.com/energy/en/news-research/latest-news/lng/112823-interactive-lng-europe-imports
Documentary limitation: the project sheet does not specify the client’s identity, the countries selected or the assignment date. These elements are therefore not published.
