Fact Check: United States Ranks as Third Largest Natural Gas Supplier to UK

Gas market analysts have confirmed that the United States remains the United Kingdom’s third largest source of natural gas, reinforcing the importance of transatlantic energy trade amid ongoing global supply challenges.

Recent data from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero shows that in 2023, the US provided approximately 12% of the UK’s natural gas imports, trailing behind Norway and Qatar. Norway continues to dominate as the UK’s primary gas supplier, delivering nearly 60% of imports through direct pipeline connections across the North Sea.

The significance of US natural gas in the UK energy market has grown substantially over the past five years. British imports of American liquefied natural gas (LNG) have more than doubled since 2018, when the US accounted for just 5% of UK gas imports. This shift reflects broader changes in global energy markets and the UK’s diversification strategy.

“The growing importance of US gas supplies to the UK represents a fundamental reshaping of the Atlantic energy trade,” explained Dr. Eleanor Winters, energy security analyst at the London Institute for Strategic Resources. “What we’re seeing is part of a larger European pivot away from Russian gas dependency following the Ukraine invasion.”

Unlike gas from Norway which arrives via undersea pipelines, American gas reaches British terminals as LNG – natural gas cooled to approximately -162°C, converting it to liquid form for efficient shipping across the Atlantic. Upon arrival at terminals such as South Hook in Wales and Isle of Grain in Kent, the LNG is regasified and fed into the national gas grid.

The UK’s increasing reliance on US gas comes amid a challenging period for European energy markets. Russia, once Europe’s dominant supplier, has dramatically reduced exports to the continent since its invasion of Ukraine. This disruption forced many European nations, including the UK, to seek alternative sources.

Qatar remains the UK’s second largest gas supplier, providing approximately 16% of imports. The Middle Eastern nation has long been a crucial partner in Britain’s energy supply chain, with established long-term contracts ensuring steady deliveries of LNG.

Industry experts emphasize that the diversity of supply sources has been crucial for the UK’s energy security. “Having multiple reliable suppliers gives the UK significant leverage in negotiations and protection against regional disruptions,” noted James Hartley, senior market analyst at Energy Intelligence Group. “The US-UK gas relationship has become particularly important as a stable, politically aligned alternative to other sources.”

The expanding role of American gas in UK markets has economic implications beyond immediate energy needs. Trade analysts point out that energy forms a cornerstone of the special relationship between the two nations, with natural gas trade volumes exceeding £3.2 billion last year.

For American producers, primarily based in shale-rich regions like Pennsylvania and Texas, the UK represents a valuable export market. The US energy industry has invested heavily in LNG export infrastructure over the past decade, transforming America from a net importer to one of the world’s largest gas exporters.

However, environmental campaigners have raised concerns about the carbon footprint associated with LNG transportation. “The process of liquefaction, shipping across the Atlantic, and regasification adds approximately 20% to the emissions profile of natural gas,” said Climate Action Network spokesperson Maria Lewis. “From a climate perspective, this represents a step backward from the UK’s net-zero commitments.”

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero maintains that diverse gas supplies represent a necessary transitional strategy while the UK develops its renewable energy capacity. A spokesperson stated: “Natural gas remains essential to the UK’s energy mix as we transition to cleaner sources. Our relationship with reliable partners like the US helps ensure energy security during this critical period.”

Market analysts predict the UK-US gas relationship will continue strengthening in the near term, with American exports potentially rising to 15% of UK imports by 2025. However, longer-term projections suggest this growth may eventually taper as the UK advances toward its legally binding target of net-zero emissions by 2050.