The report said Qatar, Nigeria and Australia were expected to have the greatest growth in LNG exports during that period.

Australia is expected to increase its LNG production from 14.8 billion cubic metres (Bcm) or 10.84 million tonnes per annum (MMtpa) in 2005 to 26.4Bcm (19.27MMtpa) in 2015, a growth rate of 78%.

Australia is set to be a leader in Asia-Pacific production. With Japanese, Chinese, South Korean, Indian and US West Coast LNG imports forecast to grow strongly over the next decade, Australia is well placed to serve the region.

PwC said the growth in imports by the US was expected to account for up to a half of the increase in global LNG volumes while China was expected to be importing up to 12Bcm (8.76MMtpa) of LNG by 2015.

“This data gives a conservative estimation that by 2015, Australia will be exporting in excess of 26 billion cubic metres per annum of LNG – primarily to the Asia-Pacific region,” PwC Australia partner Nick Henry said.

According to PwC, by 2015 Australia will almost catch up to Malaysia, a major regional rival that produced 25.52Bcm (18.63MMtpa) last year but is expected to have a growth rate of just 20%, well below the 78% forecast for Australia.

Another major Asia-Pacific LNG producer, Indonesia, is expected to see its exports fall from 31.46Bcm (22.97MMtpa) in 2006 to about half that amount in 2015.

In other parts of the world, Nigeria was expected to surge from 12Bcm (8.76MMtpa) in 2005 to 33.7Bcm (24.6MMtpa) in 2015, growing by 180%. Qatar was expected to grow its LNG production from 27.1Bcm (19.8MMtpa) in 2005 to 115Bcm (84MMtpa) in 2015 – a growth rate of 324%.