- 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.
North America Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Imports was 1.60 Billion Cubic Metres in 2023, up 0% on 2022. The Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Imports dataset of North America from 2015 to 2023 provides a comprehensive overview of the region’s LNG import patterns, highlighting import trends, trade developments, and changes across the natural gas sector. Measured in million cubic metres (mcm), the dataset represents the total annual volume of LNG imported across North America, including the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
North America Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Imports moved from 10.00 Billion Cubic Metres in 2015 to 1.60 Billion Cubic Metres in 2023 (−84%), an average of −20.5% a year. The series high was 10.00 Billion Cubic Metres in 2015 and the low 1.60 Billion Cubic Metres in 2022.
The gap between the series high (2015) and low (2022) is 8.40 Billion Cubic Metres. The sharpest single-year move was −52.2% in 2021.
Within North America, Mexico has the highest value in 2023 at 0.900 Billion Cubic Metres, 56.2% of the regional total.
Country ranking
Billion Cubic Metres. Sort by any column, or search for a country.
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By region
Billion Cubic Metres, 2023. Each bar is that region's total.
Full series
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Billion Cubic Metres.
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| Year | Billion Cubic Metres | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1.60 | 0% |
| 2022 Trough | 1.60 | −27.3% |
| 2021 | 2.20 | −52.2% |
| 2020 | 4.60 | −46.5% |
| 2019 | 8.60 | −10.4% |
| 2018 | 9.60 | +4.3% |
| 2017 | 9.20 | +10.8% |
| 2016 | 8.30 | −17% |
| 2015Peak | 10.00 | — |
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 regional energy security, natural gas trade, supply diversification, and the changing role of LNG within the North American energy market.
North America imported 10,000 mcm of LNG in 2015, declining to 8,300 mcm in 2016 before increasing to 9,200 mcm in 2017 and 9,600 mcm in 2018. Imports decreased to 8,600 mcm in 2019 and fell sharply to 4,600 mcm in 2020. LNG imports continued declining to 2,200 mcm in 2021 before reaching 1,600 mcm in both 2022 and 2023, the lowest levels during the review period. Mexico remained the region’s largest LNG importer throughout most of the period, while LNG imports into the U.S. and Canada gradually declined.
Overall, the dataset indicates a significant downward trend in North America’s LNG imports during the review period. The decline was primarily driven by expanding domestic natural gas production, increasing pipeline gas availability, growing LNG export capacity in the U.S., and reduced dependence on imported LNG across the region. These developments strengthened regional energy self-sufficiency and reshaped North America's position in the global natural gas market.
The dataset is valuable for evaluating North America’s LNG import outlook, analyzing regional trade 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 LNG within North America’s energy landscape.
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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.
North America Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Imports was 1.60 Billion Cubic Metres in 2023, up 0% on 2022.
North America Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Imports moved from 10.00 Billion Cubic Metres in 2015 to 1.60 Billion Cubic Metres in 2023 (−84%), an average of −20.5% a year. The series high was 10.00 Billion Cubic Metres in 2015 and the low 1.60 Billion Cubic Metres in 2022.
The highest value was 10.00 Billion Cubic Metres in 2015 and the lowest was 1.60 Billion Cubic Metres in 2022.
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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