Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Exports — - Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Exports refer to the total volume of liquefied natural gas shipped from a country to international markets during a given year. LNG is natural gas that has been cooled to approximately −162°C, converting it into a liquid state for efficient storage and long-distance transportation by specialized LNG carriers. The indicator is typically measured in billion cubic meters (bcm) after regasification or in equivalent LNG volumes and represents the quantity of domestically produced natural gas exported in liquefied form. LNG Exports are an important measure of a country's natural gas production capacity, export infrastructure, participation in global LNG trade, and contribution to international energy markets.
It serves as an important indicator of production capacity, liquefaction activity, export competitiveness, and Australia's position within the global LNG industry.
Australia exported 39.9 bcm of LNG in 2015 before exports increased sharply to 60.4 bcm in 2016 and 76.6 bcm in 2017 as new liquefaction projects entered commercial operation. Export volumes continued to rise to 91.8 bcm in 2018 and reached 104.7 bcm in 2019. Despite disruptions in global energy markets during 2020, exports increased further to 106.0 bcm. Australia exported 108.5 bcm in 2021, the highest level during the study period, before easing slightly to 107.4 bcm in both 2022 and 2023 while remaining historically strong.
Overall, the dataset demonstrates Australia's rapid expansion into one of the world's leading LNG exporters. Sustained growth was supported by significant investment in LNG infrastructure, abundant natural gas resources, and strong demand from major Asian importing countries. Stable export volumes after 2020 indicate mature production capacity and consistent participation in international LNG markets.
The dataset is valuable for evaluating Australia's LNG export outlook, assessing production and export performance, and analyzing long-term trade developments. It supports market research, infrastructure planning, investment evaluation, and policy development while providing valuable insights for researchers, analysts, industry stakeholders, and policymakers monitoring LNG supply trends, export capacity, market competitiveness, and Australia's leadership position in the global natural gas industry.