In the first half of the year, US LNG exports increased by 42% year-on-year

U.
S.
LNG exports accelerated in the first half of 2021 as colder weather pushed up LNG spot prices
in Asia and Europe, the U.
S.
Energy Information Administration (EIA) said in a report.

The agency said exports averaged 9.
6 billion cubic feet per day in the first six months of the year, up 42 percent
from the same period last year.

The spread between the U.
S.
Henry Port gas benchmark price and international gas prices supported record LNG export volumes, EIA said, adding that exports also increased
due to new export capacity in 2020.

U.
S.
natural gas futures surged to a 31-month high earlier this week, while European and Asian gas contracts traded above $12 and $14 per million British thermal units
, respectively.

In July, EIA expects exports to rise from a record 6.
53 billion cubic feet per day in 2020 to 9.
56 billion cubic feet per day in 2021 and 10.
15 billion cubic feet per day
in 2022.