Source: US Department of Energy
Every month, the U.S. Department of Energy publishes the Natural Gas Imports and Exports Monthly Report, detailing how American natural gas is moving across global markets. This summary highlights how U.S. natural gas, including liquefied natural gas (LNG), continues to bolster energy security, enhance reliability, and support economic growth at home and abroad.
By the Numbers: May 2026
The United States exported 816.6 billion cubic feet of natural gas and imported 232.5 billion cubic feet. This resulted in 584.1 billion cubic feet of net exports.
U.S. LNG Exports
The United States exported 502.8 billion cubic feet (Bcf) or 16.2 Bcf/d of natural gas as liquefied natural gas in May 2026. This amount represented 61.6 percent of total U.S. natural gas exports. These U.S. LNG exports reached 33 countries across multiple regions including Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean. Regional distribution included:
- Europe: 232.0 billion cubic feet (46.1 percent)
- Asia: 207.6 billion cubic feet (41.3 percent)
- Africa: 36.2 billion cubic feet (7.2 percent)
- Latin America and the Caribbean: 27.1 billion cubic feet (5.4 percent)
Additional highlights:
- In May 2026, U.S. LNG exports decreased 6.5 percent from April 2026, to approximately 16.2 Bcf/d
- LNG exports increased 15.5 percent from May 2025
- 84.2 percent of LNG exports went to non-free trade agreement (NFTA) countries
- 15.8 percent went to free trade agreement (FTA) countries
- Recently, the Netherlands has surpassed South Korea as the all-time top destination country for U.S. LNG since the United States began exporting from the lower 48 states in February 2016. From February 2016 through May 2026, the Netherlands has imported the equivalent of 2,705 Bcf of U.S. natural gas as LNG and South Korea has imported the equivalent of 2,667 Bcf of U.S. natural gas as LNG.
Top LNG Destinations for May 2026
U.S. LNG exports to the top five destination countries in May 2026 accounted for 47.5 percent of total LNG exports. These destinations included:
- Netherlands: 63.6 billion cubic feet (12.7 percent)
- South Korea: 49.5 billion cubic feet (9.9 percent)
- Italy: 46.7 billion cubic feet (9.3 percent)
- Japan: 42.5 billion cubic feet (8.5 percent)
- Egypt: 36.2 billion cubic feet (7.2 percent)
Pipeline and Truck Trade with Mexico for May 2026
The United States exported 224.2 billion cubic feet of natural gas to Mexico and imported less than 0.1 billion cubic feet from Mexico, resulting in 224.2 billion cubic feet of net exports. This represented a 15.4 percent decrease compared to April 2026 and a 0.5 percent decrease compared to May 2025.
Pipeline and Truck Trade with Canada for May 2026
The United States exported 89.6 billion cubic feet of natural gas to Canada and imported 232.0 billion cubic feet, resulting in 142.4 billion cubic feet of net imports. This represented a 3.5 percent increase compared to April 2026 and a 17.2 percent decrease compared to May 2025.
Why This Matters
U.S. LNG provides flexible and reliable energy supplies that help international partners manage supply disruptions and variable market conditions. Continued expansion of U.S. LNG export capacity supports global energy systems and strengthens the U.S. economy through investment and employment.
Explore the Full Report
The full May 2026 report and supporting data tables are available on the Department of Energy website: Natural Gas Imports and Exports Monthly 2026.