US regains tops global LNG exporter spot in first half of 2023, EIA says - Reuters
US regains tops global LNG exporter spot in first half of 2023, EIA says | Reuters
US regains tops global LNG exporter spot in first half of 2023, EIA says
Model of LNG tanker is seen in front of the U.S. flag in this illustration taken May 19, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing Rights
Sept 12 (Reuters) - The U.S. exported more liquefied natural gas (LNG) than any other country in the first six months of 2023, regaining the top spot after the restart of a fire-idled Texas plant, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) said on Tuesday, citing data from industry body Cedigaz.
The increase in U.S. LNG exports mainly resulted from Freeport LNG terminal returning to service as global demand for the fuel remained strong, especially in Europe, the statistical arm of the U.S. Department of Energy said.
Freeport LNG's plant was back at full power in late-March, ramping up feed gas intake after an eight-month outage, the result of a fire in June 2022, ended in February.
U.S. LNG exports averaged 11.6 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) during the first half of this year, up 4% year-on-year, while Australia ranked in second with 10.6 bcfd on average, followed by Qatar at 10.4 bcfd.
Europe and Britain remained the main destination again for U.S. LNG exports in the first six months, accounting for 67% (7.7 bcfd) of total U.S. exports, the EIA said.
Reporting by Daksh Grover in Bengaluru Editing by Marguerita Choy
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Related Knowledge Center: Liquefied natural gas
Driven by plentiful natural gas produced from shale plays, the United States began exporting liquefied natural gas in 2016 when the Sabine Pass terminal in Louisiana opened and shipped its first cargo. Since then, additional capacity, or trains, have been added to Sabine Pass, and terminals have become operational in Cameron Parish, La.; Hackberry, La.; Cove Point, Md.; and Corpus Christi, Texas. The Energy Information Administration projects that U.S. LNG export capacity will reach 8.9 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) by the end of 2019, making it the third largest in the world, behind Australia and Qatar. The tariff war with China has the potential to impact some final investment decisions for additional terminals in the coming months.