Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has signed three term contracts to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Chinese buyers, Reuters reported, citing two Chinese trading sources and a state media report. This comes as importers in China shift away from US-sourced cargoes due to ongoing trade tensions.
China National Offshore Oil Company (CNOOC), ENN Natural Gas, and Zhenhua Oil agreed to separate LNG supply deals with ADNOC.
CNOOC’s gas unit has signed a five-year deal beginning in 2026 to purchase 500,000 metric tons of LNG per year. ENN agreed to a 15-year contract starting in 2028 for one million metric tons annually. Zhenhua’s contract details were not disclosed.
The agreements come amid a broader trade shift. According to data from Kpler and LSEG, China imported no LNG from the US in March. Chinese customs data shows US LNG accounted for 5% of China’s total imports in 2023.
The supply realignment follows increased tariffs between the US and China, which have led Chinese buyers to reroute or resell American cargo to avoid higher import costs. Chinese firms are seeking long-term alternatives to secure energy supply amid geopolitical uncertainty and domestic demand growth.
China Energy News first reported the deals over the weekend but did not provide specifics. ADNOC and CNOOC have not publicly commented on the contracts.
China remains the world’s largest LNG importer, and Middle East suppliers like ADNOC are expanding their reach in Asia as global energy trade routes continue to shift. ADNOC recently signed similar deals with Japanese and Korean utilities as it scales up LNG exports through its Ruwais expansion project.
