US net imports of natural gas in 2011 totaled about 1.946 Tcf, 25% below 2010 and the lowest level since 1992, largely because of "unprecedented levels of domestic natural gas production," the Energy Information Administration said Friday.
The agency, which defines net imports as imports offset by exports, said total gas imports last year were 3.453 Tcf, 8% below 2010 levels. Pipeline imports fell 6% year-on-year to 3.105 Tcf, while LNG imports declined 19% from 2010 to 349 Bcf.
EIA said total US gas exports rose 33% year-on-year in 2011 to 1.507 Tcf, with pipeline exports rising 34% to 1.436 Tcf and LNG re-exports increasing 55% to 53 Bcf.
The agency also said that based on preliminary 2011 data, domestic dry natural gas production increased about 8% year-on-year to 23 Tcf, while total gas delivered to consumers rose just 2%.
Gross gas imports last year fell 8% from the prior year to 3.458 Tcf, the lowest level since 1998, EIA said. Pipeline imports from Canada dropped by about 5% to 3.11 Tcf last year, while imports from Mexico fell 91% to 3 Bcf.
LNG imports in 2011 fell 19% year-on-year to 347 Bcf, the lowest level since 2002, EIA said.
