U.S. Natural Gas Liquids Exports Hit Record High Despite China Trade Tensions

LNG carrier

Global rerouting supports U.S. NGL exports as April shipments hit all-time high of 2.9 million bpd.

U.S. exports of natural gas liquids (NGLs) surged to a record high of 2.9 million barrels per day in April 2025, despite mounting trade tensions with China, according to ship tracking data from Kpler and Vortexa.

NGLs—including ethane, butane, and propane—are critical for plastics, chemicals, and heating. Though China remains a top buyer, U.S. exports to China fell 35% to 619,000 bpd, the lowest since November 2023. This followed a 125% Chinese tariff on U.S. ethane, which was later waived, helping avoid deeper disruptions.

The decline in Chinese demand was offset by increased purchases from other nations:

• India tripled its imports to a record 179,000 bpd
• Brazil more than doubled to 113,000 bpd, a five-year high
• Japan, the second-largest buyer, boosted imports by 64% to nearly 400,000 bpd, the most since February 2023

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, ethane production will rise by 3.6% this year, largely targeting export markets due to domestic oversupply.

Enterprise Products Partners (NYSE:EPD), a top exporter, reported 5% growth in NGL pipeline volumes and 11% growth at marine terminals in Q1. Energy Transfer (NYSE:ET) also saw 4% transportation growth and 5% export gains, indicating strong global demand despite geopolitical challenges.

“The market has already gone to work rerouting barrels,” said Enterprise co-CEO Jim Teague, noting that global LPG flows are now shifting between the U.S., Middle East, China, and India. Both Enterprise and Energy Transfer confirmed they are not facing disruptions in ethane or LPG exports.