Spain bought 3.72 million tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia in 2022, 51% more than the previous year, becoming the second largest European buyer. Only France is ahead, with 5.24 million tons imported.
Despite the political interest in minimizing energy dependence on Russia due to the situation caused by the war in Ukraine, the International Group of LNG Importers has recorded that these two countries are also where the entry of Russian hydrocarbons by ship has increased the most.
On the other hand, in the group’s annual report it was also reported that the United States has once again positioned itself as the leading exporter of LNG to Europe, achieving a greater advantage over its competitors than in previous years. In 2022, Europe bought 51.74 million tons of LNG from it, while the previous year the amount exported was 21.47 million.
The United States consolidates itself as the largest importer
The second position, just ahead of Russia, was held by Qatar, which exported 18.72 million tons to Europe, compared to 15.99 million in 2021.
Algeria lost 2022 relative pesos among LNG exporters to Europe, mainly due to the reduction during its flows to Spain, which went from 1.55 million tons to 0.36 million, 76.7% less, in a context of political anger with Madrid for its rapprochement to Morocco in the dispute over Western Sahara.
Nigeria also saw its market share in Europe decline with a total export volume of 8.59 million tonnes last year. However, for Spain, the African country strengthened itself as a supplier of LNG with 4.08 million tons (3.13 million in 2021), only behind the United States, which with 8.30 million (3.85 million a year before) was the most important, with a lot of advantage over the rest.
At a global level, last year the United States contributed practically half of the additional volumes of LNG traded in the international market (8.4 million tons out of a total of 16.9 million), thanks to the commissioning of two new facilities, the 6 train from Sabine Pass and Calassieu Pass.
Russia was the third world exporter, with 32.07 million tons and a rise close to 10%. Its global market share with LNG was 8.2%.
