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 Definitions, Sources and Explanatory Notes

 Category:   Natural Gas Imports & Exports/Pipelines
 Topic:   Imports & Exports by State

  Definitions

Key Terms Definition
Exports Natural Gas deliveries out of the Continental United States and Alaska to foreign countries.
Imports Natural Gas received in the Continental United States (including Alaska) from a foreign country.
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Natural gas (primarily methane) that has been liquefied by reducing its temperature to -260 degrees Fahrenheit at atmospheric pressure.
Pipeline A continuous pipe conduit, complete with such equipment as valves, compressor stations, communications systems, and meters, for transporting natural and/or supplemental gas from one point to another, usually from a point in or beyond the producing field or processing plant to another pipeline or to points of use. Also refers to a company operating such facilities.

For definitions of related energy terms, refer to the EIA Energy Glossary.

  Sources

1994 and earlier years: EIA, Form FPC-14, "Annual Report for Importers and Exporters of Natural Gas." 1995 to 1998: "Quarterly Natural Gas Import and Export Sales and Price Report" , and EIA estimates of dry natural gas imports. Estimated pipeline data are taken from data the National Energy Board of Canada plus EIA estimates. 1999 to Current: Office of Fossil Energy, U.S. Department of Energy, Natural Gas Imports and Exports.

  Explanatory Notes

  		• Beginning with data for January 2001, EIA is reducing the reported volume of gas imported by pipeline from Canada by the amount of natural gas liquids removed from the saturated natural gas carried by Alliance Pipeline. Alliance moves saturated natural gas from the Canadian border at Sherwood, ND to a processing plant in Illinois. After the adjustment, volumes of imported natural gas on this pipeline are on the same physical basis as other reported volumes of pipeline imports.
  		• Prices for LNG imports are reported as “landed,” received at the terminal, or “tailgate,” after regasification at the terminal. Generally the reporting of LNG import prices varies by point of entry, and the average prices are calculated from a combination of both types of prices. The price of LNG exports to Japan is the “landed” price, defined as received at the terminal in Japan.
  		• Annual and final monthly data are published from the Office of Fossil Energy, U.S. Department of Energy, Natural Gas Imports and Exports.
  		• Preliminary monthly import data are based on data from the National Energy Board of Canada. Preliminary data are revised after the publication of "Natural Gas Annual" for the calendar year.
  		• Preliminary monthly export data are based on historical data from the Office of Fossil Energy, U.S. Department of Energy, Natural Gas Imports and Exports.
  		• Totals may not equal sum of components due to independent rounding.