Global LNG Demand Surge, Supply Diversification Drive Long-Term U.S. Energy Interest

Global energy security shifts following Middle East supply disruptions are accelerating international interest in U.S. oil and gas exports, a trend with long-term implications for Bakken producers. Thailand's state-owned PTT is in early-stage talks to invest in U.S. LNG export projects and secure long-term supply, according to a Bloomberg report published Tuesday and cited by OilPrice.com. This move aims to avoid costly spot purchases after the sudden halt of LNG flows from the Middle East.

The discussions have accelerated since the Iran war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupted shipments from Qatar, a top global LNG exporter. Thailand has already committed to buying U.S. energy products, including LNG, crude oil, and ethane, under a $5.4 billion per year trade framework agreed with the U.S. in October 2025, OilPrice.com reported. PTT has also signed a cooperation agreement for the future $44-billion Alaska LNG project.

Concurrently, India's state oil refiners are planning to cut their reliance on Middle Eastern oil following the recent supply shock, according to a Tuesday report from Rigzone. This push for supply diversification among major Asian importers aligns with a bullish long-term forecast for global LNG demand. In its annual LNG Outlook 2026 published Tuesday, Shell projected global LNG demand will surge 65% by 2050 to nearly 700 million tons annually, up from 422 million tons in 2025.

Shell, the world's biggest LNG trader, noted that while the Strait of Hormuz crisis has stalled growth this year, surging gas demand in South and Southeast Asia will drive long-term expansion. "The long-term outlook remains strong and LNG will continue to be a stabilising force in the global energy system," said Cederic Cremers, President of Integrated Gas at Shell, according to the report.

For North Dakota's Bakken region, these global trends underscore the growing importance of U.S. energy exports as a stable alternative to volatile Middle Eastern supplies. Increased international investment in U.S. LNG infrastructure and long-term supply contracts supports the broader market for American natural gas. While the Bakken is primarily an oil play, associated gas production is significant, and sustained demand for U.S. LNG exports can provide a supportive backdrop for natural gas prices and midstream infrastructure development.

Furthermore, commitments from nations like Thailand to purchase U.S. crude oil, as part of broader energy deals, point to enduring international demand for American barrels. India's stated goal to diversify its crude sources away from the Middle East could also open additional opportunities for U.S. crude exports, which include Bakken production shipped from the Gulf Coast. The global search for secure, non-Middle East energy supplies reinforces the strategic role of U.S. output from basins like the Bakken.