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United States March LNG exports flat as Freeport plant troubles continue

U.S. exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) fell somewhat in March to 7.61 million metric lots (MT) from 7.73 MT in February as production of the superchilled gas from the country's second biggest exporter stayed constrained, initial data from financial company LSEG revealed on Monday.

However the U.S. was the largest exporter of LNG in 2015 with exports rising 12% over 2022 to typical 11.9 billion cubic feet per day. Almost half of March's and last year's LNG exports were sent out to Europe, which cut imports of Russian pipeline gas following Russia's intrusion of Ukraine in 2022.

Freeport LNG last month divulged it had finished repairs on an electrical motor at one of the plant's 3 large processing trains after more than a month of decreased operations. It included 2 other processing systems would be taken out of service until May, most likely leading to another month of total weaker exports.

Gas flows to the Freeport LNG plant balanced 780 million cubic feet daily (mmcfd) over last week, listed below its about 2.2 bcfd capability, said financial firm Tudor, Pickering, Holt &&. Business on Monday.

It implies that given that January Endeavor Global LNG, which has. been producing above its name plate capability has actually emerged as the. country's second-largest LNG exporter of the superchilled gas,. going beyond Freeport LNG, LSEG data showed.

Europe remained the favored destination for the gas, taking. about 57%, or 4.31 MT, of March's total exports. That was. down from 60.5% of all the freights, or 4.62 MT in February, the. LSEG data showed.

Exports to Asia made a major return last month, with U.S. exporters sending out cargoes on a longer route past the Cape of. Good Want to reach markets from Bangladesh to China as dry spell. obstructed Panama Canal transit, according to the ship tracking. data.

Of the 7.61 MT exported last month, 2.54 MT or 33% went to. Asia in March. That was up from the area's 25% share in. February, and double the percentage in January when just 17%. went to Asia, LSEG shipping information revealed.

Rates in Asia early in the month appear to have motivated. the uptick in purchases by rate sensitive countries like India. and even Bangladesh, with a boost in area buying as Asian. LNG rates were at $8.30/ mmBtu earlier last month, the most affordable. levels considering that April 2021, before seeing a slight increase to. $ 8.60/ mmBtu.

March exports to Latin America rose somewhat to 7%, or.55. MT, compared to 6% or.49 MT in February. Jamaica, the Dominican. Republic and Colombia acquired U.S. LNG last month, LSEG ship. tracking data revealed. There was also one shipment for.07 MT of. LNG to Kuwait the information revealed.

Freeport LNG's go back to service in April last year played a. major function in the U.S. becoming the world's biggest exporter of. LNG in 2023, the U.S. Energy Info Administration stated on. Monday.