The role of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the U.S. gas supplymix continues to grow as 1999’s third quarter saw a significantpercentage jump in LNG imports. According to the U.S. Department ofEnergy’s Office of Natural Gas & Petroleum Import and ExportActivities, total gas imports grew by 15% over the third quarter of1998 while LNG imports were up a strong 221% over the same period.A 10% rise in Canadian imports and a 154% rise in Mexican importswere also noted. At the same time, U.S. exports of gas to Mexicogrew by 41%.

During the third quarter of last year, four companies -Distrigas Corp.; Duke Energy LNG; CMS Marketing, Services andTrading Co.; and Coral Energy Resources – imported 11 spot LNGcargoes from five different countries: Algeria, Australia,Malaysia, Qatar, and Trinidad. The imports totaled 23.7 Bcf. Theperiod marked the first time LNG has been imported from Malaysiawith a cargo brought in by Coral in August.

Under long-term LNG contracts, Distrigas imported 2.5 Bcf fromAlgeria at $2.36/MMBtu and 16 Bcf from Trinidad at $2.24/MMBtu.Duke imported 7.92 Bcf from Algeria at $2.00/MMBtu. And 16.9 Bcf ofLNG was exported to Japan from the United States at $2.90/MMBtu(delivered).

Under short-term contracts, Distrigas brought in 5.9 Bcf fromTrinidad at $2.12/MMBtu. Duke imported 5.6 Bcf from Algeria at$2.25/MMBtu. CMS imported 2.3 Bcf from Australia at $2.04/MMBtu and7.4 Bcf from Qatar at $2.40/MMBtu. Coral brought in 2.6 Bcf fromMalaysia at $2.15/MMBtu.

Looking at the first three months of 1999 and comparing them tothe same period of 1998, the DOE found LNG imports grew by 109%over the period to 120.9 Bcf from 57.9 Bcf.

©Copyright 2000 Intelligence Press Inc. All rights reserved. Thepreceding news report may not be republished or redistributed, inwhole or in part, in any form, without prior written consent ofIntelligence Press, Inc.