US Natural Gas Imports and Exports

In 2018, the United States exported over 3.6 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of natural gas, with 70% exported by pipeline to Canada and Mexico. The remainder were liquid natural gas (LNG) exports, with a minor amount of trucked LNG and compressed natural gas (CNG) to these 2 countries. 

Natural gas imports have been declining since 2007, as the US natural gas production has increased, reducing the need for imports. In 2018, 97% of imported natural gas came from Canada, with the remaining 3% coming from manly Trinidad and Tobago as LNG. Last year's total import was 2.91 Tcf, a major decrease since the 2007 peak at 5 Tcf. 

As mentioned above, 70% of last year's gas went to our neighbors to the north and south, with Canada receiving one-third of US piped natural gas and Mexico the remaining two-thirds. Based on the Energy Information Administration (EIA) records and long-term analyses, Canadian imports are generally declining as exports are gradually increasing, with imports overtaking exports by 2048. Exports to Mexico are expected to increase in the next 30 years, reaching over 3 Tcf by 2050.