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.
Measured in million cubic metres (mcm), the dataset represents the total annual volume of LNG exported across Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). It serves as an important indicator of natural gas production, liquefaction capacity, export competitiveness, and the contribution of LNG exports to regional energy trade.
Europe & CIS exported 25,600 mcm of LNG in 2015, remaining at 25,300 mcm in 2016 before declining to 23,400 mcm in 2017. Exports increased sharply to 36,700 mcm in 2018 and 47,900 mcm in 2019, followed by 48,800 mcm in 2020. Regional exports eased to 43,700 mcm in 2021 before recovering to 51,300 mcm in 2022 and 51,800 mcm in 2023, the highest level during the period. Russia remained the leading exporter, with LNG exports rising from 14,600 mcm in 2015 to 42,700 mcm in 2023. Norway contributed 5,500 mcm in 2023 after fluctuating over the period, while remaining countries together exported 3,600 mcm.
Overall, the dataset indicates a strong upward trend in regional LNG exports, primarily driven by expanding Russian liquefaction capacity and increasing demand from international markets. Export volumes strengthened despite periodic operational fluctuations and changing global energy trade conditions, reinforcing the region's importance in worldwide LNG supply.
The dataset is valuable for evaluating the Europe & CIS LNG export outlook, analyzing regional trade dynamics, and assessing future export opportunities. It supports market research, infrastructure planning, investment evaluation, and policy development while providing insights for researchers, industry stakeholders, analysts, and policymakers monitoring LNG trade, export capacity expansion, market competitiveness, and the evolving role of Europe & CIS in the global natural gas industry.