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US exports in July close to record

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Exports to Latin America increase

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LNG prices in both Asia and Europe fall in July

By Curtis Williams

HOUSTON, Aug 1 (Reuters) - Exports of U.S. liquefied

natural gas (LNG) jumped to 9.1 million metric tons (MT) in

July, marking a sharp increase from June as some plants exited

maintenance activities and Venture Global's ( VG ) Plaquemines

facility ramped up production, preliminary data from financial

firm LSEG showed.

The U.S. is the world's largest exporter of LNG and July's

output was its third highest on record. This year the U.S. has

seen three of its highest ever monthly LNG production figures,

according to LSEG data.

U.S. LNG shipments could have been higher had its third-

largest export facility, Freeport LNG, not experienced several

unplanned outages, reporting seven power outages at its plants

to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality during the

month of July. Its output fell in July to 1.3 million metric

tons (MT) from 1.4 MT in June, LSEG data showed.

The U.S. could double its LNG export capacity by 2030, based

on projects already under construction and expected to get the

financial greenlight as the industry builds momentum following

U.S. President Donald's Trump's vow to bolster the country's

energy industry. This week Venture Global ( VG ) gave a positive final

investment decision for its massive 28 million metric tons per

annum (mtpa) CP2 facility in Louisiana.

In July, Plaquemines, also in Louisiana, exported 1.4 MT of

the superchilled gas, compared to 1.2 MT in June, helping the

U.S. get to 9.1 MT in July, compared to 8.4 MT in June, LSEG

data showed.

GAS PRICES FALL IN EUROPE AND ASIA

European gas prices fell in July to $11.56 per million

British thermal unit (mmBtu) from $12.38 per mmBtu in June at

the European benchmark Title Transfer Facility in

the Netherlands, according to LSEG data.

Even so, the softer prices were not enough to deter U.S. LNG

exports to Europe, which remained the favored destination. Some

5.25 MT of LNG, or just under 58% of July's total, headed to

Europe during July, slightly lower than the 5.53 MT, or 66%,

sold in June, LSEG data showed.

U.S. exports to Europe could increase in the coming years

following a trade deal earlier this week in which the European

Union promised to buy $750 billion of U.S. energy over a

five-year period.

In July, gas prices were also lower in Asia, as the

benchmark Japan Korea Marker fell to $12.18 per mmBtu

from $12.90 per mmBtu in June.

Exports to Asia rose slightly during the month to 1.8 MT, or

20%, of U.S. LNG exports in July, compared to 1.56 MT, or 19%,

in June as demand for energy for cooling grew, according to LSEG

data.

"After lackluster Asian LNG demand for much of 2025 so far,

hotter July weather drove some improvement," bankers from Morgan

Stanley ( MS ) told their clients in a report on Wednesday.

US SELLS MORE LNG CLOSER TO HOME

U.S. LNG exports to South America grew in July as the

continent faced colder-than-normal seasonal weather. The U.S.

sold 1.03 MT, or 11% of its total LNG exports, to Latin America,

with cargoes going to Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and Chile.

Cargoes were also sold to several Caribbean countries, including

Jamaica, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

Egypt continued to import U.S. LNG cargoes, buying eight in

July, totaling .59 MT of the superchilled gas. There were also

six cargoes with .43 MT of LNG that left U.S. ports in July with

no clear destination, signaling they were available for orders.

In July, Canada saw its first LNG shipment from a major

plant, with the start-up of LNG Canada in Kitimat, British

Columbia. That facility is the first North American plant with

direct access to the Pacific Ocean and a shorter sail time to

Asia.

LNG Canada exported four cargoes, or .29 MT of LNG, during

July, according to LSEG ship tracking data.