Chinese LNG imports drop 3% in September

Chinese LNG imports in September came in at 5.69mn tonnes, down 2.8% year/year, according to data published by the customs department on October 18.

The LNG imports during the nine months of 2023 were 51.13mn tonnes, up 10.1% year/year. In terms of pipeline gas imports, China received 4.46mn tonnes in September, indicating a 4.9% yr/yr growth. Cumulatively, the country's pipeline gas imports during the year reached 36.64mn tonnes, up 5.7% year/year.

Chinese LNG imports for the full year 2023 are likely to see a small increase, according to Reuters market analyst John Kemp. The import rebound could be smaller than some analysts anticipate because domestic gas production is rising strongly and the country has mostly completed its transition to natural gas for urban residents, Kemp wrote.