Global LNG imports by country 2020

In 2020, Japan imported the largest volume of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the world. In that year, they imported some 102 billion cubic meters of liquefied natural gas. In 2020, Japan's imports equated to a 21 percent share of the total global imports of LNG.

Natural gas and LNG

Liquefied natural gas is natural gas that has been turned into liquid state so that it can be transported and stored more easily and cost-effectively. Natural gas is mainly comprised of methane with a little bit of ethane. As a non-toxic gas, it is also odorless and colorless. Natural gas is turned into a liquid by decreasing the temperature of the gas to -260 degrees Fahrenheit (-160 degrees Celsius). Even though LNG is the cleanest burning fossil fuel, its combustion emits the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide nevertheless.

Global LNG trade

Since 1970, the LNG trade volume worldwide has been steadily increasing. In 2020, the global trade volume of LNG was 488 billion cubic meters, an increase from the previous year. Australia was the world’s leading LNG exporter in 2020. In that year, they exported 106.2 billion cubic meters of LNG. Following Australia was Qatar, with exports amounting to 106.1 billion cubic meters.