China to be LNG's 'most important market'

China is expected to have the highest demand for LNG with worldwide use set to nearly triple by 2030, analyst projections say.

The country may burn 214 million metric tonnes per annum (mtpa) by then -- more than quadruple today's consumption -- under a federal law requiring 15% of its energy come from LNG.

As a result, LNG imports would have to grow by 13% a year compared to today's growth rate of 9%, a 56-page report led by Stifel analyst Ben Nolan says.