PROSPECTS FOR RUSSIAN LNG PROJECTS AMID SANCTIONS AND THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE GLOBAL GAS MARKET: CHALLENGES AND STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES

Abstract

This article examines the current state and future prospects of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects amid sanctions pressure and the ongoing transformation of the global gas market. The focus is placed on a contradictory situation: on the one hand, Russia faces significant technological and financial constraints that hinder the construction and commissioning of new LNG facilities; on the other hand, the global gas market is experiencing rapid growth, which opens a window of opportunity for reactivating previously suspended capacities. At the core of the analysis are the actions and strategic plans of the United States—the leading global LNG exporter—as well as the internal factors that may limit its future expansion: growing domestic demand, issues related to gas imports from Canada, increasing energy needs from power-intensive digital infrastructure, and systemic challenges in the development of renewable energy and nuclear power. The article puts forward the hypothesis that the U.S. may face a gas shortage within the next few years, which could create favorable conditions for Russia’s return to the global LNG market. Based on an analysis of global trends, production-logistical conditions, and the geopolitical context, several scenarios for the development of Russian LNG projects are proposed.