UPDATED 1 Sept: The EI library in London is temporarily closed to the public, as a precautionary measure in light of the ongoing COVID-19 situation. The Knowledge Service will still be answering email queries via email , or via live chats during working hours (09:15-17:00 GMT). Our e-library is always open for members here: eLibrary , for full-text access to over 200 e-books and millions of articles. Thank you for your patience.
New Energy World™
New Energy World™ embraces the whole energy industry as it connects and converges to address the decarbonisation challenge. It covers progress being made across the industry, from the dynamics under way to reduce emissions in oil and gas, through improvements to the efficiency of energy conversion and use, to cutting-edge initiatives in renewable and low-carbon technologies.
Fuelling change: the surge of US LNG
22/5/2024
8 min read
Feature
As the start of the 21st century witnessed growing dialogues around climate change and recognition of the need for renewable energy sources, a contrary trend has emerged from the heart of the US: an upsurge in liquefied natural gas (LNG) production. This phenomenon not only marks a significant pivot in the US energy narrative, but also casts a long shadow on the global dialogue concerning environmental sustainability and the transition towards greener energy paradigms, reports Sara Siddeeq.
The rise of LNG production in the US can be traced back to the early-2000s, a period characterised by technological leaps in fracking and horizontal drilling. These advancements revolutionised the natural gas sector by making it economically feasible to access vast reserves of shale gas that were previously considered unattainable. This propelled the US from the brink of energy dependence into a colossus of LNG exports. By 2023, the US had clinched the title of the world’s top LNG exporter, overtaking Australia and Qatar, dispatching a record 91.2mn tonnes of LNG to global markets.
This record production was fuelled by two primary forces. Firstly, the resurgence of Freeport LNG of Texas to its full operational capacity following a fire in 2022, which contributed an additional 6mn tonnes. Secondly, the complete annual production from Venture Global LNG’s Calcasieu Pass facility in Louisiana, which increased the output by a further 3mn tonnes compared to 2022.
North American natural gas production, in bn m3
Source: BP Statistical Review of World Energy, 2009–2019 and The Energy Institute Statistical Review of World Energy, 2023