Top energy leaders gathered at LNG 2026 in Doha say the era of stable energy demand is over. Saad Sherida al-Kaabi of QatarEnergy, Wael Sawan from Shell, Darren Woods of ExxonMobil, and other CEOs shared a clear message: global energy demand is rising fast. "We are in a world of energy addition, not energy substitution," said one executive. Global LNG demand could jump from 400 million tonnes now to 600 million tonnes by 2030, and reach 800 million by 2050. This growth makes LNG the fastest-growing fuel after renewables. QatarEnergy is expanding LNG production and fleet size, working with ExxonMobil on new large U.S. LNG projects. New supplies are also coming from Canada, Africa, and South America. The Russia-Ukraine war sped up Europe’s shift to LNG, from 50 million tonnes a year to 120 million. This change boosted LNG’s importance globally, and executives expect prices to ease, encouraging Asian demand to rise again. Oil demand is also steady, with companies like Qatar actively exploring more fields. The focus now is on supplying oil and gas cleanly and efficiently. Artificial intelligence is a big driver of energy use, especially for power-hungry data centers that run 24/7. Executives say this demand is "inflexible," requiring reliable and ready power supplies. Renewables remain vital but are described as intermittent. Gas is seen as crucial to fill energy gaps when wind and solar falter. Nuclear and hydrogen are longer-term options but can’t keep up with the urgent demand. Energy projects face delays from regulations, labour shortages, and community concerns. Executives warn that slow permits and complex rules risk choking energy supplies. Sustainability matters. Gas cuts emissions compared to coal and can integrate carbon capture. But methane leaks and CO2 remain concerns. QatarEnergy’s CEO highlighted the goal to deliver energy "in the most environmentally responsible manner." The future energy mix will balance renewables, gas, and emerging tech. Gas will shift from a baseload fuel to a balancing role in the grid. At the core, around five billion people still need more energy for prosperity. Executives agree: the world must add energy supply at a vast scale. Gas is not a temporary bridge but a steady foundation for abundant, reliable, and cleaner energy in a fast-changing world.