The US exported an average of 11.9 Bcf/D of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in 2024, maintaining its position as the world’s leading LNG exporter, according to a 27 March report issued by the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).
The EIA described the export volumes as "essentially flat" compared with 2023, attributing this to factors including unplanned outages at LNG processing facilities, reduced demand from Europe, and minimal capacity expansions since 2022.
In December 2024, the US saw its eighth LNG export facility, Plaquemines LNG Phase 1, ship out its first cargo. Utilization at the existing seven facilities remained high throughout the year, operating at 104% of nominal capacity and 86% of peak capacity—unchanged from 2023.
Europe remained the largest destination, accounting for 53% (6.3 Bcf/D) of total US LNG exports, led by the Netherlands, France, and the UK, which together imported 2.9 Bcf/D.
Exports to Asia increased from 26% (3.1 Bcf/D) in 2023 to 33% (4.0 Bcf/D) in 2024, with Japan, South Korea, India, and China comprising 76% (3 Bcf/D) of the region’s imports. India experienced the most significant year-over-year increase, up 0.2 Bcf/D. The rest of Asia imported 1 Bcf/D of US LNG.
Australia and Qatar ranked second and third among the world's top LNG exporters, with their exports remaining relatively stable between 10.2 and 10.7 Bcf/D over the past 5 years, according to data from Cedigaz cited by the EIA. Russia followed with an average of 4.4 Bcf/D in 2024, and Malaysia completed the top five exporters with 3.7 Bcf/D.
