EIA: NGL 2025 Exports at Record 3.1M Bpd, Led by Ethane

SECAUCUS, NJ (DTN) — U.S. natural gas liquids (NGL) exports reached a record 3.1 million bpd in 2025, driven by ethane which accounted for nearly a fifth of the volume, an analysis released on Monday (3/30) by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) showed.

Ethane exports averaged 579,000 bpd last year, growing by 92,000 bpd, or 19%, across nine different countries, according to the EIA, which analyzed gas liquids shipments for the different NGL products between January 2004 and December 2025.

China remained the primary buyer of U.S. ethane, receiving over 50% of waterborne ethane to feed new petrochemical crackers.

In terms of absolute percentage growth, natural gasoline led 2025 expansion by 22% to reach 176,000 bpd, followed by normal butane at 9% (535,000 bpd) and propane at 3% (1.8 million bpd).

NGL production itself has increased annually since 2005, fueled by global demand for petrochemical feedstocks and plastics, the EIA noted.