U.S. exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Europe surged during the first four months of 2022 as countries across the continent clamored for American supplies amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) said Tuesday.

The demand trend, well established, continues as countries throughout Europe try to wean themselves of Russian gas in opposition of the war. Still, the EIA data demonstrate how dramatic the shift in flows of LNG proved this year.

During the first four months of this year, the United States sent 74% of its LNG to Europe, EIA said. That compares with 34% for all of 2021. In 2020 and 2021, Asia had been the main destination for U.S. exports, accounting for about one-half of U.S. LNG consumption each year.

The European Union...