Quarterly Coal Report (QCR)—Fourth-Quarter 2024
(Wed, 02 Apr 2025) U.S. coal production during the fourth quarter of 2024 totaled 128 million short tons (MMst), which was 6% lower than the previous quarter and 9.1% lower than the fourth quarter of 2023. Fourth-quarter 2024 U.S. coal exports (27.7 MMst) increased 1.4% from the third-quarter 2024 level and increased 5.1% from the fourth-quarter 2023 level. U.S. coal imports in the fourth quarter of 2024 totaled 0.4 MMst. All data for 2023 and previous years are final. All data for 2024 are preliminary.
U.S. uranium production in 2024 was highest in six years
Companies in the United States produced more uranium concentrate in 2024 than in any year since 2018 after a sustained period of higher uranium prices spurred production, according to our recently published Domestic Uranium Production Report—Quarterly. The increase largely came from two in—situ recovery facilities, one in Texas and one in Wyoming, and the resumption of uranium production at White Mesa Mill in Utah, the only operational uranium mill in the United States. Production in the fourth quarter of 2024 alone was higher than the total annual production for each of the years in 2019–23.
Canada’s propane exports to Asia are growing, making up more than 40% of exports in 2024
Canada's propane exports have steadily increased over the last decade, reaching record highs in 2024 as new marine export terminals streamlined the flow of propane from western Canada to export destinations, particularly to Asia. U.S. propane imports from Canada have stayed relatively consistent since Canada began waterborne exports in 2019.
The United States remained the world’s largest liquefied natural gas exporter in 2024
The United States exported 11.9 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in 2024, remaining the world's largest LNG exporter. LNG exports from Australia and Qatar—the world's two next-largest LNG exporters—have remained relatively stable over the last five years (2020–24); their exports have ranged from 10.2 Bcf/d to 10.7 Bcf/d annually, according to data from Cedigaz. Russia and Malaysia have been the fourth- and fifth-largest LNG exporters globally since 2019. In 2024, LNG exports from Russia averaged 4.4 Bcf/d, and exports from Malaysia averaged 3.7 Bcf/d.
U.S. natural gas consumption set new winter and summer monthly records in 2024
In 2024, U.S. natural gas consumption averaged a record 90.3 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) and set new winter and summer monthly records in January and July, according to data in our Natural Gas Monthly. Overall, U.S. consumption last year increased 1% (0.9 Bcf/d) from 2023. In January, natural gas consumption was up 12% (12.5 Bcf/d) compared with January 2023 consumption, and in July, consumption increased by 3% (2.5 Bcf/d) compared with July 2023.
The United States remained the world’s largest liquefied natural gas exporter in 2024
The United States exported 11.9 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in 2024, remaining the world’s largest LNG exporter. LNG exports from Australia and Qatar—the world’s two next-largest LNG exporters—have remained relatively stable over the last five years (2020–24); their exports have ranged from 10.2 Bcf/d to 10.7 Bcf/d annually, according to data from Cedigaz. Russia and Malaysia have been the fourth– and fifth–largest LNG exporters globally since 2019. In 2024, LNG exports from Russia averaged 4.4 Bcf/d, and exports from Malaysia averaged 3.7 Bcf/d.
Jet fuel made up a record share of U.S. refinery output in 2024
U.S. refineries produced a record-high share of jet fuel in 2024, reflecting increased demand relative to other transportation fuels.
U.S. ethane production, consumption, and exports set new records in 2024
U.S. ethane production, consumption, and exports reached record highs in 2024, according to recent data from our Petroleum Supply Monthly. Increasing ethane recovery associated with natural gas production and continued growth in the domestic and global petrochemical sectors drove these increases.
U.S. battery capacity increased 66% in 2024
In the United States, cumulative utility–scale battery storage capacity exceeded 26 gigawatts (GW) in 2024, according to our January 2025 Preliminary Monthly Electric Generator Inventory. Generators added 10.4 GW of new battery storage capacity in 2024, the second–largest generating capacity addition after solar. Even though battery storage capacity is growing fast, in 2024 it was only 2% of the 1,230 GW of utility–scale electricity generating capacity in the United States.
U.S. natural gas–directed rigs decreased for second consecutive year in 2024
The number of rigs deployed to drill for natural gas in the United States decreased over the last two years. U.S. natural gas–directed rigs decreased 32% (50 rigs) between December 2022 and December 2024. This decline has been concentrated in the natural gas–rich Haynesville and Appalachia regions, where the combined natural gas rig count declined by 34% during 2023 (43 rigs) and by 24% during 2024 (21 rigs). The decline in drilling rigs coincides with record–low natural gas prices for most of 2024 and the wider adoption of advanced drilling and completion technologies.