US records highest ever LNG exports
US exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) reached an all-time high in August as plants completed planned maintenance programmes and Venture Global's Plaquemines facility continued to accelerate output, according to Reuters. August exports totalled 9.33 million metric tonnes, beating the previous monthly record set in April of 9.25 million tonnes and higher than the 9.1 million tonnes exported in July, according to LSEG data.
Plaquemines, the second-largest LNG plant in the US with a capacity of 27.2 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), has increased production every month since it started up in December 2024, helping the country remain the world’s largest LNG exporter. According to LSEG, Plaquemines sold 1.6 million tonnes in August, or 17 per cent of total US exports. Reports further suggest that Plaquemines is expected to produce from all its 18 plants in September, potentially increasing output further, according to regulatory filings.
Europe remains the primary destination for US LNG exports, with 6.16 million tonnes, or 66 per cent of the total. That’s up from 5.25 million tonnes, or 58 per cent, sold to the continent in July, LSEG ship tracking data showed. On the other hand, Egypt bought nine cargoes of LNG that totalled 0.57 million tonnes, or six per cent of total US LNG exports, slightly down compared to the 0.59 million tonnes it bought in July, as it deals with declining domestic production. Earlier this year, the country announced it would increase LNG imports to meet power demand.
US exports to Latin America fall
Reports further suggest that exports to Latin America fell in August to 0.69 million tonnes, or seven per cent of total US exports, down from 1.03 million tonnes in July. The region instead imported well from Trinidad and Tobago as the Shell and BP-owned Atlantic LNG plant has been producing at higher rates since June, exporting 0.8 million tons in August.
