U.S. to become exporter of gas earlier than expected

• 16 Apr 2015

The US will become a net exporter of natural gas, after being a net importer for years, three years earlier than expected, states the latest Annual Energy Outlook of the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), published last Tuesday. In the previous report in 2014, the EIA expected the United States to become a next exporter not earlier than 2020, and the change in forecasts have happened mostly thanks to the steady growth of the country shale gas production. The calculations have, however, a significant degree of uncertainty, due to the unclear evolution of production and demand growth, particularly in non-OECD countries. Nonetheless, the US net exports are expected to rise from 2017 and in 2040 are expected to range from 3.0 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) to 13.1 Tcf, depending on oil prices. According to the report, the United States produced a total of 24.4 tcf of dry gas in 2013 and is expected to produce between 31.9 tcf to 50.6 tcf in 2040. The US will export mostly through LNG terminals, four of which are already under construction in Maryland, Louisiana and Texas. The terminals have contracts with customers in Asia and Europe and will enter into service between 2016 and 2019. Moreover, several pipeline projects are under construction or in development between the US and Mexico, some of which are expected to enter into service over the next few years. Full report is available here. If you are interested in the US exports to the Mediterranean, the topic will be covered during the third ConferenzaGNL. For further information, full program is available here  and registration is possible here. Redazione ConferenzaGNL