Scandinavian Working Papers in Economics

Discussion Papers,
Statistics Norway, Research Department

No 393: Explaining experience curves for LNG liquefaction costs: Competition matter more than learning

Mads Greaker () and Eirik Lund Sagen
Additional contact information
Eirik Lund Sagen: Statistics Norway

Abstract: In this paper we seek to identify different driving forces behind the fall in LNG liquefaction unit costs. Our focus is on organizational learning including process specific R&D, but we also seek to account for autonomous technological change, scale effects and the effects of upstream competition among liquefaction technology suppliers. To our surprise we find that upstream competition is by far the most important factor. This may have implications for the future development in costs as the effect of increased upstream competition is temporary and likely to weaken a lot sooner than effects from learning and technological change. On the other hand, the increased competition could also spur more innovation, and induce a new drop in future unit costs.

Keywords: Learning curves; Mark-up pricing; LNG costs

JEL-codes: O31; Q41; Q55 October 2004

Full text files

dp393.pdf PDF-file 

Download statistics

Questions (including download problems) about the papers in this series should be directed to L Maasø ()
Report other problems with accessing this service to Sune Karlsson ().

RePEc:ssb:dispap:393This page generated on 2024-10-30 04:36:21.