Centrica Plc is moving to increase its purchases of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States as the British utility looks to broaden where it sources fuel amid heightened global geopolitical tensions. The company’s chief executive, Chris O’Shea, said in a New York interview that Centrica regards the U.S. as a reliable partner and intends to expand its trading footprint there.
Current commercial arrangements include deals tied to Cheniere Energy Inc.'s Sabine Pass export facility and an agreement related to Delfin Midstream's proposed offshore export project. In addition, Centrica has signed gas supply contracts with Devon Energy Corp. and Coterra Energy Inc., underpinning its existing U.S.-linked procurement.
O’Shea emphasized that Centrica does not want to be dependent on a single source for product supply, and the company is actively evaluating further options in Canada and other locations beyond its present U.S. arrangements. That stance reflects an effort to diversify supply channels rather than concentrate exposure on one supplier or region.
The company may expand its New York trading office, which currently employs roughly 20 people, as it assesses opportunities in the U.S. domestic market. Centrica is considering trading physical gas at major hubs, a step that would deepen its participation in U.S. gas markets and broaden its operational trading activities.
On market outlook, Centrica expects global LNG prices to remain weak through 2030. At the same time, the company anticipates persistent demand for the fuel, citing rising power consumption and the ongoing shift from coal to gas in various regions as drivers of that demand. O’Shea added that gas will remain part of the energy mix for the next 20 years.
Separately, the article notes the United Kingdom government's objective to decarbonize its power system by 2030, a policy aimed at reducing both emissions and energy costs. Centrica’s procurement and trading strategy, according to the company’s statements, is being shaped in the context of these long-term demand expectations and domestic policy goals.
Contextual note - The company has outlined a multi-pronged approach: widening geographic sourcing, enlarging trading capabilities, and maintaining an outlook on market pricing and demand through 2030.