U.S. Natural Gas Exports Reached Record High in 2023: EIA

The U.S. exported 20.9 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of natural gas during 2023, up 10 percent compared to the previous year, according to an April 15 report published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. U.S. natural gas volumes exported during 2023 were at an all time high. U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports were responsible for over 50 percent of all U.S. natural gas exports and the remaining natural gas exports were to Canada and Mexico by pipelines.

U.S. LNG exports during 2023 have been financially incentivized by higher gas prices on the international market, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Majority of the volume was delivered to Europe, in line with a reduction in Russian pipelined gas to Europe. LNG exports have driven growth in total U.S. natural gas exports during 2023, increasing by 1.3 Bcf/d or 12 percent compared to the previous year.

U.S. natural gas exports via pipeline also increased during 2023. Exports to Mexico rose by eight percent to 6.1 Bcf/d during 2023, compared to 2022. Meanwhile, exports to Canada rose by seven percent to 2.8 Bcf/d during 2023, compared to the previous year. The U.S. has been a net natural gas exporter since 2017.

U.S. natural gas imports declined three percent to 8 Bcf/d during 2023, compared with 2022. Natural gas imports from Canada assist the U.S. in dealing with seasonal fluctuations in natural gas consumption. The U.S. is a net natural gas importer from Canada. U.S. imports from Canada in January and February 2023 declined by six percent compared to the same period in 2022, due to above seasonal normal temperatures and therefore less natural gas consumption in both the U.S. residential and commercial sectors. Moreover, wildfires in western Canada in April and May 2023 also disrupted imports from Canada, and as a result imports from Canada in April and May 2023 averaged nine percent less than in April and May 2022.