The epoch of big pipeline systems is not finished but is coming to end. Systems of regional and local purpose have been and will be for a long time yet - decades – profitable. But projects of great pipeline systems today have to be recalculated tens of times as gas transportation for long distances – is not a cheap type of business. Liquefaction of gas is also an expensive process, though technologies are being improved and equipment is becoming cheaper. It is the competitiveness that matters. In some countries they do not yet renounce pipelines, but “the yoke” under the pressure of liquefied gas can already hardly keep balance.
We have a different situation. There were uncountable billions of dollars invested into pipeline systems of Europe, Russia and transit countries. And to throw them away is not simple even many years hence.