U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports fell by 23.2% in June compared to the same month last year, their first year/year (y/y) decline since January 2016, according to the latest monthly data compiled by the Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Total natural gas exports dropped by 6.1% to 11.3 Bcf/d, the first annual decline for any month since October 2014, researchers said in EIA’s August Natural Gas Monthly report released Tuesday. LNG had been driving the steady rise in total gas exports since 2016, they said.

Despite the declines, the average daily rate of total gas exports was the second highest for June since EIA began tracking monthly exports in 1973, researchers said.

The United States exported 3.6 Bcf/d to 17 countries in June, down from 27 in May, the EIA...