Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON — The United States has significantly reduced liquefied natural gas exports from Qatar.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration said both the United States and the European Union have recorded a significant decrease in Qatari LNG.

In a report said U.S. imports of Qatari LNG dropped by 63 percent in 2012 and 78 percent in 2013.

“The changes reflect growing domestic natural gas production in the United States, a decrease in LNG demand in some European countries, and strong competition for LNG in the global market,” the report, titled “Egypt Energy Profile,” said.

Qatar has been deemed a leading U.S. ally in the Gulf Cooperation Council. The report said the decline in Qatari LNG exports to the West reduced traffic through Egypt’s Suez Canal.

  Domestic U.S. gas production boom allows sharp cuts in LNG imports from Qatar, liquefied natural gas, Suez Canal