US outranked Qatar in LNG sector

In December 2021, the US became the world's largest exporter of liquefied natural gas for the first time, surpassing Qatar. Due to the increase in supplies to Europe, which is experiencing a shortage of energy, the figures have risen sharply. In addition, LNG production last month surpassed Qatari's post-export figures for the first time. 

The shale gas revolution and multibillion-dollar investments in liquefaction plants have turned the US from a net LNG importer to a top exporter in less than a decade. Gas production increased by about 70% compared to 2010. 

However, the position of the US as the leading supplier of liquefied natural gas may soon change. Export performance was marginally higher than Qatar and Australia, the most stable major suppliers. Among other things, Qatar plans to launch a large-scale export project by the end of the 2020s in order to strengthen its position in the LNG market. This will allow the state not only to firmly take leadership in this area again, but also to increase its influence in the Gulf region. 

For the US, a jump in liquefied natural gas exports will help alleviate a global supply crisis as many European countries face seasonal energy crises. For December 2021, countries purchased 13% of all U.S. gas, seven times more than five years earlier.