China’s LNG imports rise 19.3 percent in January-February

China, the world’s largest liquefied natural gas importer, increased its LNG imports by 19.3 percent in January-February compared to the same period last year, according to customs data.

Data from the General Administration of Customs shows that the country received 13.20 million tonnes during the first two months of this year.

In January, China’s LNG import terminals took 7.25 million tonnes of LNG, up by 22.9 percent year-on-year, while in February LNG imports rose 15.2 percent to 5.95 million tonnes, the data shows.

Natural gas imports, including pipeline gas, during the first two months of this year reached about 22.10 million tonnes, rising 23.6 percent compared to 17.87 million tonnes in the same period in 2023.

Several reports previously said that Chinese buyers were buying spot LNG cargoes due to low JKM prices and also to rebuild inventory after the Lunar New Year holiday.

JKM for April settled at $8.521/MMBtu on Friday.

China’s LNG imports rose 12.6 percent in 2023, and the country overtook Japan as the world’s largest LNG importer.

The country received about 71.32 million tonnes in the January-December period.

This is a rise compared to about 63.44 million tonnes of LNG in 2022 when imports dropped due to very high spot LNG prices and Covid lockdowns.

China’s 2023 LNG imports dropped compared to record 78.93 million tonnes in 2021.

Most Popular

Williams launches Transco pipeline expansions

US natural gas pipeline operator Williams has launched two fully contracted expansions of the existing Transco pipeline to meet growing domestic demand and LNG exports.

Update: Shell’s LNG Canada receives LNG cargo

Shell’s LNG Canada has received a cargo of liquefied natural gas as part of the commissioning and start-up phase.

DOE gives further boost to US LNG exports

The US Department of Energy (DOE) has removed a regulatory barrier that required liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects to start export within seven years of receiving regulatory approval.

More News Like This

Glencore seals LNG supply deal with China’s Shandong Order Group

China’s Shandong Order Group has signed a deal to buy liquefied natural gas (LNG) from a unit of Switzerland-based energy trader Glencore.

CNOOC’s Binhai LNG terminal gets 100th cargo

China National Offshore Oil Company (CNOOC) has received the 100th cargo at its giant Binhai LNG import terminal in Jiangsu.

China’s LNG imports down 22.9 percent in February

China, the world’s largest liquefied natural gas importer, reported a 22.9 percent drop in its LNG imports in February, while its pipeline gas imports increased by 7.6 percent compared to the same month last year.

GECF says February LNG imports climb

Global liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports rose by 3.7 percent year-on-year in February, boosted by higher imports in Europe, the Gas Exporting Countries Forum said in its latest report.