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U.S. LNG exports reach record high in August

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Europe remains favored destination

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Egypt steps up imports of U.S. LNG

By Curtis Williams

HOUSTON, Sept 2 (Reuters) -

U.S. exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) reached an

all-time high in August as plants exited planned maintenance

programs and Venture Global's ( VG ) Plaquemines facility

continued to increase output, preliminary data from financial

firm LSEG show.

August exports totaled 9.33 million metric tons, beating the

previous monthly record set in April of 9.25 million tons and

higher than the 9.1 million tons exported in July, according to

LSEG data.

Plaquemines is the second-largest LNG plant in the U.S. with

a capacity of 27.2 million tons per annum (MTPA) and has

increased production every month since it started up in December

2024, helping the country to remain the world's largest LNG

exporter. Plaquemines sold 1.6 million tons in August, or 17% of

total U.S. exports, LSEG data showed.

Plaquemines is still under construction but is expected to

produce from all its 18 plants in September, potentially

increasing output further, according to regulatory filings.

EUROPE STILL TOP DESTINATION FOR U.S. LNG

Natural gas storage levels have been lower in Europe this

year compared with 2024, without the usual rush to stockpile the

fuel before the upcoming winter period as lower Asian imports

create breathing room for European traders and governments.

With little or no arbitrage between European and Asian gas

prices, Europe continues to be the biggest destination for U.S.

LNG exports with 6.16 million tons, or 66% of the total. That's

up from 5.25 million tons, or 58%, sold to the continent in

July, LSEG ship tracking data showed.

European gas prices fell in August to $11.13 per million

British thermal units (mmBtu) at the Dutch Title Transfer

Facility (TTF), down from $11.56 per mmBtu in July, according to

LSEG data.

In August, gas prices were also lower in Asia, as the benchmark

Japan Korea Marker fell to $11.63 per mmBtu from $12.18

per mmBtu in July, LSEG data showed.

Exports to Asia declined slightly during August to 1.47

million tons, down from 1.8 million tons in July, according to

LSEG data.

EGYPT CONTINUES TO BUY U.S. LNG

Egypt has been facing falling natural gas production,

declining as low as 3,485 million standard cubic meters in April

2025 compared with a peak of 6,133 million standard cubic meters

in March 2021. In June, the country announced it would ramp up

LNG imports to meet power demand.

Egypt in August bought nine cargoes of LNG that totaled 0.57

million tons, or 6% of total U.S. LNG exports, compared with the

0.59 million tons it bought in July, LSEG ship tracking data

showed.

EXPORTS TO LATIN AMERICA FALL

U.S. LNG exports to Latin America fell in August to 0.69

million tons, or 7% of total U.S. exports, down from 1.03

million tons in July. The region was well-supplied from Trinidad

and Tobago as the Shell and BP-owned Atlantic

LNG plant has been producing at higher rates since June,

exporting 0.8 million tons in August, according to LSEG data.

Shell's LNG Canada plant at Kitimat on Canada's West Coast

continued to increase exports from its Train 1, with five

shipments totaling 0.4 million tons in August, up from 0.3

million tons in July, LSEG data showed.

Four percent of U.S. LNG exports, or 0.37 million tons, that

left U.S. ports had no clear destinations listed, signaling they

were available for orders, LSEG ship tracking data showed.