Can biomethane scale?
Biomethane and bio-CNG are increasingly recognised not only as low-carbon fuels but also as strategic assets for energy security
Vahide Nuran Mutlu and Aysel Zahidova SOCAR Türkiye Research & Development and Innovation Inc.
L iquefied natural gas (LNG) serves as a vital, cleaner alternative to coal that has shaped global power systems over the past two decades. It has supported industrial development, enabled fuel switching in power generation, and improved energy access in both advanced and emerging economies. Its global tradability allows resource-scarce nations to bypass rigid pipeline imports and diversify their energy portfolios. For many economies, LNG has become an essential pillar of energy security and industrial competitiveness. However, recent geopolitical events have revealed a fundamental vulnerability embedded within LNG-dependent systems: exposure to external disruptions. The war between Russia and Ukraine instantly destabilised global fuel markets, triggering massive price spikes and forcing EU nations to rapidly replace Russian pipeline gas with seaborne LNG. This sudden pivot sparked aggressive global competition for available fuel cargoes, leaving import-dependent nations highly exposed to severe price swings and local infrastructure bottlenecks. Beyond regional conflicts, growing instability surrounding strategic maritime chokepoints has further highlighted the fragility of centralised LNG supply chains. A substantial share of global LNG exports passes through the Strait of Hormuz, making global gas markets highly sensitive to geopolitical tensions. Recent concerns over maritime security in the Gulf and disruptions in the Red Sea shipping corridor have reinforced the reality that events thousands of kilometres away can rapidly affect domestic energy affordability, industrial continuity, and supply reliability.
The implications of this vulnerability extend far beyond short-term market volatility. A prolonged disruption to LNG exports from a major supplier such as Qatar would immediately reverberate across global energy markets. Major importing economies in Asia, including China, India, Japan and South Korea, remain heavily exposed to Gulf LNG routes. At the same time, Europe’s post-2022 energy diversification strategy has simultaneously increased dependence on seaborne gas imports. Such scenarios have intensified concerns regarding the resilience of globally concentrated energy systems. “ The focus is shifting from simply reducing emissions to building energy systems that are geographically diversified, less vulnerable to geopolitical shocks and more resilient to supply disruptions ” Consequently, the energy transition narrative is evolving. Decarbonisation remains a primary objective, yet policymakers are increasingly balancing climate ambitions with two equally pressing priorities: energy security and economic resilience. The focus is shifting from simply reducing emissions to building energy systems that are geographically diversified, less vulnerable to geopolitical shocks and more resilient to supply disruptions. In this context, regionally produced renewable gases such as biomethane and bio-CNG (bio-compressed natural gas) are attracting growing attention. Unlike conventional LNG, biomethane can be produced domestically from locally available
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