China's LNG imports up 34% in August

Chinese LNG imports in August came in at 6.3mn tonnes, up 34.1% year/year, according to data published by the customs department on September 18.

The LNG imports during the first eight months of the year were 45.51mn t. In terms of pipeline gas imports, China received 4.56mn t in August, indicating a 10.4% yr/yr growth. Cumulatively, the country's pipeline gas imports during the year reached 32.19mn tonnes.

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.