Chinese LNG imports up 24% in July

Chinese LNG imports in July came in at 5.86mn tonnes, up 24.3% year/year, according to data published by the customs department on August 18.

The rise in LNG imports during the first seven months of the year was also notable, standing at 39.24mn t, up 9.3% compared with the same period last year.

In terms of pipeline gas imports, China received 4.45mn t in July, indicating a 12.4% yr/yr growth. Cumulatively, the country's pipeline gas imports during the year reached 27.63mn, reflecting a 5.2% yr/yr rise.

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.