As a large swath of long-term and shorter LNG contracts are set to expire by the end of the decade, buyers could see a future global natural gas market that is both more physically flexible and financially complex.

By 2030, long-term and short-term contracts covering around 195 million tons (Mt) of liquefied natural gas could expire, according to data from shipbroker Poten and Partners. Assuming terms of those contracts aren’t extended, it could mean almost 48% of current global LNG supply would be opened to new customers or contract terms. But how could the coming wave of expirations impact LNG markets and the next generation of developing export projects?

Poten and Partner’s Jason Feer, global head of business intelligence, told NGI the decisions long-term buyers and LNG...