Both are (or in the case of Iraq will soon be) LNG importers.
Why would a major oil and gas producer like Iraq be dependent on LNG imports?
- Pipeline infrastructure limitations
- High flaring rates: Iraq flared 625 bcf in 2023 which is almost equal to their total gas consumption (682 bcf). Iraq plans to eliminate routine flaring by 2028 (delayed from earlier targets).
- Risks associated with gas imports from Iran.
And the Commonwealth of Massachusetts? Why would a state in the world’s no.1 gas producing country and not far removed from the massive Marcellus Shale reserves be importing LNG?
- Firstly, Massachusetts is a wonderful place in many ways: beaches, mountains, islands, history, arts and culture, universities, charming villages, commercial fishing, recreational and professional sports, and more. I thoroughly enjoyed living on Cape Cod and was blessed to meet my wife there.
- Unfortunately, Massachusetts energy policies have been misguided in recent years, in part because of unrealistic expectations regarding renewable energy, most notably offshore wind. Except for California and Hawaii, MA has the nation’s highest residential electric prices (Aug. 2025 data), 74% above the US average.
- Pipeline restrictions have limited the flow of gas from Pennsylvania (Marcellus) and elsewhere.
- Massachusetts is the only state with significant LNG imports.
- Per EIA data, Massachusetts imported 13.2 bcf of LNG in 2023, accounting for about 87% of total U.S. LNG imports that year.
- Most imports are through the Everett Marine Terminal near Boston. Imports through the offshore Northeast Gateway LNG terminal have been limited in recent years. (See map below).
- Imports are seasonal, peaking in winter months, with most supply originating from Trinidad.
- Recently, Governor Healy has made more encouraging statements regarding natural gas policy. She says she never stopped gas pipelines from entering the state and calls natural gas an “essential energy source.”
- Perhaps the net-zero flip-flop my Bill Gates and other tech leaders is contagious.
Bud's Offshore Energy (BOE) 