Russian liquefied natural gas exports to China reached unprecedented levels in November, overtaking shipments from Australia and marking a significant shift in the global gas trade.

Chinese customs data indicate that deliveries from Russian producers more than doubled from a year earlier, rising to approximately 1.6 million tonnes for the month, making Russia the second-largest LNG supplier to Beijing after Qatar.

This surge underscores the strengthening energy partnership between Moscow and Beijing even as Western sanctions on Russian energy companies remain in place and Australian exports have declined in relative share of the Chinese market.

The increase in Russian LNG shipments to China has been driven in part by expanded output from facilities such as the Arctic LNG-2 project in western Siberia, which has continued to load cargoes despite sanctions targeting parts of Russia’s liquefaction sector.

China has accepted multiple cargoes from these Arctic operations this year, reflecting a strategic focus on securing competitive and reliable energy supplies from across Asia.

Analysts note that the shift in LNG trade flows comes as China re-balances its energy portfolio, reducing purchases from some traditional suppliers while deepening ties with Russian exporters.

Broader energy cooperation between the two nations continues to expand beyond LNG.

Pipeline gas deliveries via the Power of Siberia route have also increased substantially, with volumes projected to expand further in the coming years under bilateral agreements.

Construction on new pipeline infrastructure, including a planned Far Eastern gas route connecting Russia’s Pacific coast to China, is progressing, with initial shipments expected by two thousand twenty-seven.

This pipeline expansion complements LNG trade and illustrates the multifaceted nature of Sino-Russian energy ties at a time when global markets are adjusting to shifts in demand and the constraints of sanctions.