US access to the global LNG market

This paper discusses US participation in the global liquefied natural gas (LNG) market. Although recent US production of natural gas is up, Canadian production is decreasing and LNG imports by the United States have been on the rise. The current US portfolio of LNG importers is described and the future prospects for each of the current importers are discussed. Changing conditions in the global marketplace have resulted in higher prices and more recent declines in US importation of LNG. With temporary increases in US domestic supply and transportation costs rising, the United States will find it increasingly difficult to compete with other global consumers of LNG. Overcapacity of regasification and high prices are pushing the industry into increased integration. Under these conditions, it seems unlikely that consumers of LNG will experience price declines. In addition, because of global reserve distribution, increased reliance on LNG may jeopardise even further US energy security.