US LNG Plants Import Shipments Amid Winter Storm with Record Prices
Several LNG companies, including BP and Shell, imported natural gas into the United States during a winter storm that caused record high prices. The storm led to extremely low temperatures and a surge in demand for heating, while production fell to a two-year low due to frozen oil and gas wells.
Spot prices for gas reached historic highs, with futures rising 124% on Tuesday. LNG shipments were sent to Elba Island in Georgia, Cove Point in Maryland, Everett in Massachusetts, and Canaport in New Brunswick, Canada, primarily from Trinidad and Tobago.
It is unusual for Elba Island and Cove Point, typically export terminals, to receive imports. The Paris Knutsen is expected to arrive at Elba Island with a shipment from Trinidad. Cove Point has received two shipments this winter from Trinidad. The situation highlights issues related to the Jones Act, which restricts LNG sales between U.S. ports.
