Tuesday, June 23, 2020

EIA: "U.S. liquefied natural gas exports have declined by more than half so far in 2020"

From the U.S. Energy Information Administration's Today in Energy:

daily natural gas deliveries to U.S. LNG export facilities
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, based on IHS Markit

Daily natural gas deliveries to U.S. facilities that produce liquefied natural gas (LNG) for export were a record 9.8 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) in late March 2020, but deliveries fell to less than 4.0 Bcf/d in June, according to data by IHS Markit. A mild winter and COVID-19 mitigation efforts have led to declining global natural gas demand and high natural gas storage inventories in Europe and Asia, reducing the need for LNG imports. Historically low natural gas and LNG spot prices in Europe and Asia have affected the economic viability of U.S. LNG exports. Trade press reports indicate that more than 70 cargoes were canceled for June and July deliveries, and more than 40 cargoes were canceled for August deliveries. In comparison, 74 cargoes were exported from the United States in January 2020.

In 2019, on an annual basis, the United States became the world’s third-largest LNG exporter; only Qatar and Australia exported more LNG. Several U.S. LNG export facilities became operational in 2019. Most recently, in May 2020, the third train at Freeport LNG in Texas began commercial operations....
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See also May 29's EIA Natural Gas Weekly Update (Natural Gas Deliveries to U.S. LNG Export Facilities Fall to Lowest In Seven Months)