- 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.
India Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Imports was 31.00 Billion Cubic Metres in 2023, up 9.2% on 2022. The Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Imports dataset of India from 2015 to 2023 provides a comprehensive overview of the country’s LNG import patterns, highlighting import trends, supply developments, and changes across the natural gas trade sector. Measured in billion cubic metres (bcm), the dataset represents the total annual volume of LNG imported into India.
India Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Imports moved from 20.00 Billion Cubic Metres in 2015 to 31.00 Billion Cubic Metres in 2023 (+55%), an average of +5.6% a year. The series high was 36.60 Billion Cubic Metres in 2020 and the low 20.00 Billion Cubic Metres in 2015.
The gap between the series high (2020) and low (2015) is 16.60 Billion Cubic Metres. The sharpest single-year move was +21.5% in 2016.
Among the 22 countries in this dataset, India ranks 4 for 2023, behind China (97.80 Billion Cubic Metres) and Japan (90.30 Billion Cubic Metres). It accounts for 5.6% of the global total in 2023.
Full series
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Billion Cubic Metres.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| Year | Billion Cubic Metres | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 31.00 | +9.2% |
| 2022 | 28.40 | −16% |
| 2021 | 33.80 | −7.7% |
| 2020Peak | 36.60 | +13% |
| 2019 | 32.40 | +6.2% |
| 2018 | 30.50 | +17.3% |
| 2017 | 26.00 | +7% |
| 2016 | 24.30 | +21.5% |
| 2015 Trough | 20.00 | — |
Regional context
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Imports by country, 2023, Billion Cubic Metres. India is highlighted.
Data definition
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.
The data includes all internationally traded LNG cargoes imported through LNG receiving terminals and regasification facilities for domestic consumption, storage, or onward distribution. It covers LNG imported under long-term contracts, spot market purchases, and short-term agreements from exporting countries. The indicator includes LNG received for use across electricity generation, industrial processes, residential and commercial applications, and other natural gas-consuming sectors after regasification. Imports are recorded regardless of the country of origin and are compiled using standardized international trade statistics, customs data, port records, and national energy reporting methodologies, enabling consistent comparison of LNG import volumes across countries and over time.
The data excludes domestically produced natural gas, pipeline natural gas imports and exports, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), natural gas liquids (NGLs), compressed natural gas (CNG), and other gaseous fuels that are not imported as LNG. It also excludes LNG exports, LNG bunkering for marine fuel where reported separately, transit shipments that do not enter domestic supply, and inventory changes unless specifically incorporated into national energy balances. The indicator does not measure LNG consumption, regasification capacity, storage capacity, terminal utilization rates, or the economic value of LNG imports. Minor variations may occur due to differences in national reporting practices, customs classifications, conversion factors, and statistical estimation methodologies across countries.
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 domestic supply requirements, industrial demand, electricity generation, and the role of LNG within India’s energy system.
India imported 20.0 bcm of LNG in 2015, increasing to 24.3 bcm in 2016 and 26.0 bcm in 2017. Imports continued rising to 30.5 bcm in 2018 and 32.4 bcm in 2019. LNG imports reached 36.6 bcm in 2020 before declining to 33.8 bcm in 2021 and 28.4 bcm in 2022. Imports recovered to 31.0 bcm in 2023, reflecting renewed demand across industrial and energy sectors.
Overall, the dataset indicates a long-term upward trend in India’s LNG imports despite temporary declines after 2020. Rising import volumes were supported by increasing industrial activity, expanding city gas distribution networks, higher natural gas demand, and efforts to increase the share of cleaner fuels in the national energy mix. Annual fluctuations reflected international LNG prices, domestic gas production, and changing market conditions.
The dataset is valuable for evaluating India’s LNG import outlook, analyzing import dynamics, and assessing future supply 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, import patterns, and the evolving role of LNG within India’s energy market.
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Definition- 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.
India Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Imports was 31.00 Billion Cubic Metres in 2023, up 9.2% on 2022.
India Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Imports moved from 20.00 Billion Cubic Metres in 2015 to 31.00 Billion Cubic Metres in 2023 (+55%), an average of +5.6% a year. The series high was 36.60 Billion Cubic Metres in 2020 and the low 20.00 Billion Cubic Metres in 2015.
The highest value was 36.60 Billion Cubic Metres in 2020 and the lowest was 20.00 Billion Cubic Metres in 2015.
Included: The data includes all internationally traded LNG cargoes imported through LNG receiving terminals and regasification facilities for domestic consumption, storage, or onward distribution. It covers LNG imported under long-term contracts, spot market purchases, and short-term agreements from exporting countries. The indicator includes LNG received for use across electricity generation, industrial processes, residential and commercial applications, and other natural gas-consuming sectors after regasification. Imports are recorded regardless of the country of origin and are compiled using standardized international trade statistics, customs data, port records, and national energy reporting methodologies, enabling consistent comparison of LNG import volumes across countries and over time. Excluded: The data excludes domestically produced natural gas, pipeline natural gas imports and exports, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), natural gas liquids (NGLs), compressed natural gas (CNG), and other gaseous fuels that are not imported as LNG. It also excludes LNG exports, LNG bunkering for marine fuel where reported separately, transit shipments that do not enter domestic supply, and inventory changes unless specifically incorporated into national energy balances. The indicator does not measure LNG consumption, regasification capacity, storage capacity, terminal utilization rates, or the economic value of LNG imports. Minor variations may occur due to differences in national reporting practices, customs classifications, conversion factors, and statistical estimation methodologies across countries.
The series is sourced from energyinst.org (https://www.energyinst.org/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/1542714/684_EI_Stat_Review_V16_DIGITAL.pdf). It covers 2015–2023 and is reported in Billion Cubic Metres.
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