U.S. becomes top LNG exporter in first half of 2022 – EIA
HOUSTON (Reuters) – America grew to become the highest liquefied pure fuel (LNG) exporter within the first half of 2022, the Vitality Data Administration (EIA) mentioned, citing knowledge from CEDIGAZ, because the nation elevated provide to Europe amid the Ukraine disaster.
U.S. LNG exports rose 12% to common 11.2 billion cubic toes per day (bcfd) within the first half of the yr in contrast with the second half of 2021, the EIA mentioned. Elevated LNG export capability, increased costs, and demand, notably from Europe, helped enhance exports.
LNG exports have been rising dramatically over the past a number of years as nations worldwide search to diversify away from dirtier coal vegetation. Nevertheless, it takes a number of years to construct new amenities; america will not be anticipated so as to add substantial new capability till no less than 2024.
About 71% of U.S. LNG exports went to the European Union and Britain throughout the first 5 months of this yr, EIA mentioned.
Europe is struggling to sock away sufficient fuel into storage previous to winter as a result of Russia has severely curtailed fuel shipments by way of pipeline to the continent after america and allies put sanctions on Moscow.
Put in U.S. LNG export capability has expanded by about 1.9 bcfd since November 2021, together with new trains at Cheniere Vitality’s Sabine Cross, Enterprise International’s Calcasieu Cross, and better LNG manufacturing capability at Sabine Cross and Corpus Christi amenities.
The EIA estimated that liquefaction capability averaged 11.4 bcfd, as of July, with a shorter-term peak capability of 13.9 bcfd.
In June, america exported 11% much less LNG than the 11.4 bcfd common exports throughout the first 5 months of 2022, after a fireplace precipitated an outage on the Freeport LNG export facility.
Freeport LNG estimates resumption of partial liquefaction operations by early October and a return to full manufacturing by year-end.
(Reporting by Arathy Somasekhar in Houston; Modifying by Marguerita Choy)
