USA becomes world’s top LNG exporter in 2023

USA

WASHINGTON D.C., January 3, 2024 – The USA has become the world’s top LNG exporter in 2023 following record highs in both December and the year, Reuters reported on Tuesday.

According to US tanker tracking data, annual exports of LNG from the North American country amounted to 88.9 million tonnes, a 14.7% rise from 2022.

In December, the country exported a monthly record of 8.6 million tonnes of LNG.

According to consultants at Rapidan Energy Group, record production was driven by the return of the return of production at the Freeport LNG facility and added output of 3 million tonnes per year at Venture Global LNG’s Calcasieu Pass LNG facility.

The USA’s second-largest LNG export facility Freeport LNG located in Texas came partially back on line in February 2023 following halted operations in June 2022 due to a fire.

The first phase of its restart saw three liquefaction trains, two LNG storage tanks and a single LNG berth return to service.

In October 2023, Freeport LNG received approval to take steps to return to full operation. At full capacity, the facility can process 21 billion bcf per day of gas.

The Calcasieu Pass LNG facility located in Louisiana began export operations in March 2022, but has yet to reach full commercial operations.

Once the facility is fully commissioned, it will have an export capacity of 10 million tonnes per year.

In terms of export destinations for US LNG in December 2023, Europe accounted for around 61%, Asia accounted for 26.6% and Latin America accounted for around 6%.

LNG production from the USA’s seven large LNG export facilities have climbed to an average of 14.9 bcf per day in January 2024.

In 2022, Qatar was the world’s largest LNG exporter, followed by Australia.

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