U.S. LNG exports set two consecutive monthly records 

Yesterday the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) released the Natural Gas Weekly Update. The EIA updated noted U.S. LNG exports set two consecutive monthly records in November and December 2018, with 32 and 36 exported cargoes, respectively. Two new liquefaction trains, the Sabine Pass Train 5 and Corpus Christi Train 1, began LNG production in late November. The EIA estimates that U.S. LNG exports averaged 3.6 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) in November and 3.9 Bcf/d in December 2018.

In the update the EIA estimated existing U.S. LNG nominal baseload liquefaction capacity is 4.25 Bcf/d and peak capacity at 4.87 Bcf/d across seven trains at three liquefaction terminals. Once the remaining facilities under construction, Elba Island, Cameron, and Freeport, and the remaining two trains at Corpus Christi are placed in service, EIA estimates that U.S. nominal baseload liquefaction capacity will stand at 9.6 Bcf/d (72.3 million metric tons per annum (mtpa)) and peak capacity at 10.7 Bcf/d (80.9 mtpa).

According to the EIA, annual 2018 utilization at Sabine Pass was estimated at 106% of the baseload and 91% of peak capacity. Cove Point terminal ran above 90% of its baseload capacity in November–December 2018, with an overall utilization of 67% of baseload and 62% of peak capacity since the facility started operation in March 2018.

EIA forecasts U.S. LNG exports to increase gradually in 2019 and average 5.1 Bcf/d on an annual basis. This will be up from 3.0 Bcf/d annual average in 2018. In 2020 as the new trains ramp up LNG production, U.S. LNG exports are projected to increase and average 6.8 Bcf/d annually according to the EIA.