Shell, the world’s largest trader of liquefied natural gas (LNG), has unveiled plans to add up to 12 million metric tons of new LNG production capacity across Nigeria, the UAE, Canada, and Qatar by the end of the decade.
The announcement was made by Cederic Cremers, Shell’s President of Integrated Gas, during the Gas, LNG and the Future of Energy Conference hosted by Wood Mackenzie in London on Wednesday.
“That is not an ambition. Those are all projects that are currently under construction,” Cremers said, emphasizing that the capacity increase is already being built into Shell’s long-term supply strategy.
While the company did not break down the exact capacity earmarked for each country, Nigeria is expected to play a significant role in the expansion, given its strategic positioning and ongoing national focus on gas development.
The development aligns with Nigeria’s “Decade of Gas” initiative (2020–2030), a government-led drive to monetize the country’s 208 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves. The initiative aims to transform Nigeria into a major gas-based industrial economy, create jobs, boost energy security, and unlock significant revenue streams.
Currently, Nigeria ranks 12th globally in gas production, generating approximately 3,009.65 million cubic feet per day, but analysts say the country has yet to fully harness its gas potential.
Shell’s investment push could provide a much-needed boost, especially as Nigeria seeks to attract international capital to strengthen its domestic gas infrastructure and expand LNG exports.
If realized, Shell’s total additional LNG output across the targeted countries will further cement its position as a global energy giant amid shifting energy transition strategies and rising demand for cleaner-burning fuels.