Europe is on course to shatter its previous record for monthly liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports in February as the continent races to replenish rapidly depleting gas inventories, according to data analytics firm Kpler.
Kpler forecasts total LNG arrivals of 14.20 million metric tons for February, surpassing the 13.67 million tons recorded in January. The projected figure also represents a 22 per cent year-on-year increase, highlighting Europe’s growing reliance on seaborne gas supplies amid winter demand pressures.
More than half of February’s imports – about 57 per cent – originated from the United States, with volumes reaching 8.05 million tons. Despite efforts to diversify supply, Europe continued to receive Russian LNG, with imports estimated at 1.6 million tons for the month, slightly below January’s 1.68 million tons.
Market analysts attribute the surge in European purchases partly to weaker demand from China, which has eased pressure on global spot LNG prices. Kpler data indicate that China’s LNG imports are expected to fall to 3.38 million tons in February – the lowest level since April 2018 and significantly down from 4.47 million tons in February 2025.
The softer Asian demand has made LNG cargoes more accessible to European buyers at competitive prices, supporting record inflows.
Looking ahead, Kpler projects that European imports of U.S. LNG could climb further to 11.19 million tons next month as the European Union accelerates efforts to refill gas storage facilities. Storage levels have dropped to 30 per cent, well below the five-year average of 49 per cent for this period.
Meanwhile, energy trade tensions are simmering. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright has urged the European Union to reconsider its methane emissions regulation, arguing that the rules would increase costs for American LNG exporters. In December, Wright called on the EU to exempt U.S. energy shipments from the methane directive until 2035.
Under current plans, emissions tracking, reporting and verification requirements are scheduled to take effect from 2027, alongside additional sustainability-focused directives that Washington warns could negatively impact transatlantic energy trade.