World Gas Conference 2027 (WGC2027)
The World Gas Conference is the global gas industry's premier triennial gathering. WGC2027 in Tokyo is particularly significant given Japan's central role in Asian LNG markets — as the world's second-largest LNG importer, Japan's procurement decisions, contract structures, and price negotiation stances directly shape global LNG pricing. WGC2027 will convene as the global gas market navigates a wave of new LNG supply from the US, Qatar, and East Africa entering the market through 2025–2028.
For LNG market context, see our LNG glossary entry. For the European Gas Conference (held annually in Vienna), see our European Gas Conference 2027. For live fuel price data showing where gas-linked fuel prices stand globally, use the fuel price explorer.
Expected WGC2027 agenda themes
| Theme | Key questions |
|---|---|
| Global LNG supply-demand balance | New US/Qatar/Mozambique supply wave vs Asian demand recovery; spot vs long-term contract balance |
| Asian energy transitions | Japan nuclear restart and LNG demand implications; China LNG vs coal; India city gas expansion |
| Green and blue hydrogen | Cost curves for green H2; blue H2 with CCS; ammonia as H2 carrier; infrastructure co-use |
| Gas infrastructure investment | LNG floating regasification; new LNG liquefaction projects; FSRU deployment in Europe and Asia |
| LNG as marine fuel | IMO GHG strategy; LNG-fuelled vessels growth; methane slip challenge; ammonia/hydrogen alternatives |
| Gas security geopolitics | Post-Russia-Europe trade restructuring; US export policy; Qatar long-term contract strategy |
Japan's LNG market: the host context
Japan's LNG market profile makes it an appropriate host for WGC2027:
- Japan imports approximately 65–70 MTPA of LNG, making it the world's second-largest importer after China
- Japanese utilities (JERA, Osaka Gas, Tokyo Gas, Toho Gas) are among the world's largest LNG buyers and pioneered the long-term take-or-pay LNG contract model
- Japan is transitioning from predominantly 20–25 year oil-indexed LNG contracts to shorter, more flexible JKM-linked contracts
- The JKM (Japan/Korea Marker) LNG price assessed by Platts is the Asian LNG benchmark, complementing TTF (Europe) and Henry Hub (USA)
- Japan's nuclear restart programme (following the 2011 Fukushima crisis) directly affects LNG demand — each nuclear reactor restart reduces Japan's need for approximately 1–2 MTPA of LNG for gas-fired power generation
Global LNG supply outlook for WGC2027
The LNG supply landscape heading into WGC2027 is characterised by a significant capacity addition wave:
- US LNG export capacity additions (Plaquemines LNG, Corpus Christi Stage 3, further Golden Pass expansions) adding approximately 40–50 MTPA by 2027
- Qatar North Field South and North Field East expansions targeting 126 MTPA+ output — mostly contracted to European and Asian buyers
- Mozambique LNG (TotalEnergies) and Tanzania LNG projects adding East African supply by 2027–2028
- The supply wave creates a buyer's market for LNG spot cargoes — spot JKM and TTF prices expected to moderate relative to 2021–2023 peaks
For the European Gas Conference's perspective on European LNG supply, see our EGC 2027 preview. For how CNG and LNG affect transport fuel, see our CNG glossary entry.
Frequently asked questions
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What is the World Gas Conference?
- The World Gas Conference (WGC) is the triennial flagship event of the International Gas Union (IGU), held every three years. It brings together 5,000–8,000+ gas industry executives, policymakers, and researchers. The conference covers global LNG markets, pipeline gas, hydrogen transition, gas infrastructure investment, and energy security. WGC2027 is hosted by Japan in Tokyo, reflecting Japan's central importance as the world's second-largest LNG importer.
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Where and when is the World Gas Conference 2027?
- WGC2027 takes place 7–11 June 2027 at Tokyo Big Sight, Tokyo, Japan. Japan is hosting as the world's second-largest LNG importer and a critical actor in global gas market development. The conference coincides with a major global LNG supply wave (new US, Qatar, and East African capacity additions) that will reshape market balances through 2027–2030.
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What are the key themes for WGC2027?
- WGC2027 key themes: global LNG supply-demand balance amid new capacity additions; Asian energy transitions (Japan nuclear restart, China LNG vs coal); green and blue hydrogen development; gas infrastructure investment; LNG as marine fuel (IMO decarbonisation); and gas security geopolitics post-Russia-Europe supply restructuring. Japan's ammonia co-firing programme for gas power plants will be a prominent host-country theme.