On April 1, 2024, EIA announced that in 2023, the United States solidified its position as the top liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter globally, with exports averaging 11.9 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d), marking a 12% increase from 2022. [1] This surpasses LNG export levels from other major exporters such as Australia and Qatar. Russia and Malaysia trailed behind as the fourth and fifth-highest exporters, with LNG exports averaging 4.2 Bcf/d and 3.5 Bcf/d, respectively.
The surge in U.S. LNG exports in 2023 was driven by several factors, including the return to full production at Freeport LNG and robust demand from Europe amid high international natural gas prices. Monthly export records were set in November and December, reaching 12.9 Bcf/d and 13.6 Bcf/d, respectively. The utilization of U.S. LNG export capacity averaged 104% of nominal capacity and 86% of peak capacity across seven operating terminals.
Europe remained the primary destination for U.S. LNG exports in 2023, accounting for 66% of exports, followed by Asia at 26%, and Latin America and the Middle East at 8%. The Netherlands, France, and the UK were the top importers of U.S. LNG, collectively receiving 35% of all U.S. exports. LNG imports in Asia, particularly in Japan and South Korea, saw significant volumes, while Brazil's LNG imports declined due to a reliance on hydropower for electricity generation. Looking ahead, Europe's LNG import capacity is expected to expand further by more than one-third between 2021 and 2024.