Oil majors Shell and Total are said to be considering building terminals and power plants in new markets.
The move comes after companies have invested billions in plants to help produce liquefied natural gas (LNG) in place such as the US and Australia.
Laurent Vivier, president for the gas division of Total, said the company was ready to go downstream “as much as it takes” to unlock gas demand.
He said: “We need to be present in downstream ourselves, to create demand and unlock bottlenecks along the chain including regasification, pipeline and power plants.”
Total said it aims to triple the number of its gas and power markets and raise its annual LNG output to 20million tonnes as well as its trading to 15million tonnes by 2020.
Meanwhile, Shell believes the number of markets buying LNG could double, according to its chief financial officer Simon Henry.
He said:”Our aim is to capture the best share of those who are looking now to start or grow.” The focus on downstream mimics a model that companies such as Shell, Total, Exxon Mobil and Chevron have used for decades in the oil sector where their operations span oil wells, refineries and service stations.”
