The United States accounted for all of the world’s new liquefied natural gas (LNG) production capacity last year, as exports grew despite challenges created by the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the 12th annual World LNG Report by the  International Gas Union (IGU).

global liquefaction capacity

Cameron, Freeport and Elba Island LNG added 20 million tons (Mt) of annual LNG capacity in 2020. Several global projects with planned commercial start-up in 2020 were delayed to 2021 because of the virus. However,  for the third straight year, liquefaction capacity slightly outpaced new regasification at import terminals, which added 19 Mt of capacity. 

Overall, the IGU said global LNG trade increased for a seventh consecutive year to 356.1 Mt, from 1.4 Mt in 2019.

“The gas industry has held its own, said IGU...