US LNG feedgas demand hits record 20.4 bcfd as export plants near full capacity

By Curtis Williams

HOUSTON, Nov 9 (Reuters) - US demand for natural gas to be turned into LNG reached a record 20.4 billion cubic feet on Monday, according to preliminary data from financial firm LSEG.

• Feedgas demand was boosted by strong utilization across the US export plants.

• Global prices for liquefied natural gas remained near their highest levels since 2022, when Russia's invasion of Ukraine reshaped energy trade flows.

• Nearly every US LNG facility was operating at or near full capacity on Monday, according to LSEG data.

• Cheniere Energy's LNG.N Sabine Pass plant in Louisiana, the nation's largest LNG export facility, was consuming about 5 bcfd of gas, nearly one-quarter of total feedgas demand, LSEG data showed.

• Venture Global's VG.N Plaquemines LNG plant, the second-largest export facility, was taking about 4.2 bcfd, according to LSEG data.

• Freeport LNG, which has experienced more operational disruptions than most US export plants in recent years, was also running near capacity at almost 2.1 bcfd, the data showed.

• Meanwhile, Golden Pass LNG, the joint venture between Exxon Mobil XOM.N and QatarEnergy, was operating at full capacity and consuming roughly 0.8 bcfd, according to LSEG data.

• Average feedgas demand in November reached a record 18.9 bcfd, according to LSEG.

• US LNG facilities, most of which are located along the Gulf Coast, typically become more efficient during cooler weather, allowing operators to process larger volumes of natural gas into LNG as winter approaches.