The LNG market has become increasingly flexible. Annual data from the International Group of Liquefied Natural Gas Importers (GIIGNL) show global spot and short-term imports increased 50% to 61.2 million tonnes in 2011.
That is more than a quarter of all LNG traded, the highest percentage ever in an industry historically dominated by long-term deals for point-to-point trades.
In many ways, Qatar has had the biggest impact.
