EnergyQuest: Australian LNG exports hit monthly record

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports from Australia have reached a monthly record in April, spread across 98 cargoes. 

According to a report by energy consultancy EnergyQuest, LNG exports hit a monthly record of 6.7 million tonnes, jumping up from 6.2 million tonnes in March when 91 cargoes departed Australia.

Australia’s April shipments were 81 Mtpa on an annualized basis, well ahead of Qatar nameplate capacity of 77 mtpa, with EnergyQuest noting that Qatar operated below capacity in April due to maintenance.

Australian projects delivered 36 cargoes to China in April, up from 33 in March, surpassing deliveries to Japan. Australia has been delivering 40 or more cargoes a month to Japan but this fell to 33 in April.

EnergyQuest noted that some spot cargoes have been shipped from Wheatstone and Ichthys, none reported from east coast projects.

West Coast shipments increased to 4.8 mt in April, up from 4.2 mt in March, with 70 cargoes in April compared to 62 in March.

East coast LNG shipments decreased to 1,880 kt in April from 1,973 kt in March, with 28 cargoes in April one cargo less compared to March.