Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Imports — - Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Imports refer to the total volume of liquefied natural gas received by a country from international suppliers during a given year. LNG is natural gas that has been cooled to approximately −162°C, converting it into a liquid state to facilitate 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 amount of imported LNG entering a country's energy supply. LNG Imports are a key indicator of natural gas trade, energy security, import dependency, and the diversification of natural gas supply sources.
It serves as an important indicator of electricity generation demand, industrial gas consumption, energy security, and the contribution of LNG to Chile’s diversified energy system.
Chile imported 3.7 bcm of LNG in 2015, increasing to 4.5 bcm in 2016 before easing slightly to 4.4 bcm in 2017 and 4.3 bcm in 2018. Imports declined to 3.3 bcm in 2019 before recovering to 3.7 bcm in 2020 and 4.5 bcm in 2021. Import volumes decreased to 3.3 bcm in 2022 before increasing moderately to 3.6 bcm in 2023.
Overall, the dataset indicates relatively stable LNG import volumes with moderate fluctuations throughout the review period. Import trends reflected changing electricity generation requirements, industrial demand, hydropower availability, and broader energy market conditions. The recovery in 2021 highlighted stronger energy demand, while subsequent adjustments reflected evolving fuel requirements and optimization of the country's natural gas procurement strategies.
The dataset is valuable for evaluating Chile’s LNG import outlook, analyzing supply dynamics, and assessing future energy requirements. It supports market research, infrastructure planning, investment evaluation, and policy development while providing insights for researchers, industry stakeholders, analysts, and policymakers monitoring energy security, LNG trade trends, supply diversification, and the evolving role of imported natural gas in Chile’s energy landscape.