U.S. LNG Exports up 20% Year-Over-Year

Written by Daniel Graeber for Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Data from IIR Energy show the amount of natural gas feeding U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminals declined, though deliveries were nearly 20% higher than during the same period last year.

IIR Energy reported that feed gas running to the eight operational LNG export terminals had been volatile over the last week, which has pulled LNG export levels below recent highs near 16 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d).

LNG output dipped to 13.9 Bcf on Wednesday amid the decline in feed gas, but recovered to 15.6 Bcf by the end of last week.

The U.S. delivered its first batch of LNG in 2016 and became the world leader in exports of the super-cooled gas in 2022. During a four-year tenure that ended in 2024, President Joe Biden tried to pause new permits for LNG terminals while his administration studied the potential for exports up and down the supply chain.

Exports averaged 9.8 Bcf/d in Biden's first year in office in 2021 and reached 14 Bcf/d last year. Biden's order was suspended by the courts, though President Donald Trump overturned it altogether through an executive order in one of his first acts of office in January.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the statistical office for the Department of Energy, reported that 29 vessels laden with LNG left U.S. export terminals over the seven-day period ending March 12, carrying 110 Bcf of gas in the liquid form. That's 17% above year-ago levels.

U.S. LNG capacity improved in December when the Plaquemines, Louisiana, facility, operated by Venture Global (NYSE:VG) (Arlington, Virginia) Global, received its first batch of feed gas and later delivered its inaugural cargo to Germany. Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Oil & Gas Project Database can learn more by viewing the Plaquemines project report.

Barely at peak capacity, Venture Global recently announced plans to expand the plant, situated near New Orleans.

Several of the existing terminals such as Corpus Christi, operated in Texas by Cheniere Energy Incorporated (NYSE:LNG) (Houston, Texas), are planning for upgrades that would add to their nameplate capacity. Corpus Christi has a nameplate capacity of 2.4 Bcf/d, making it the second-largest LNG export terminal by volume behind Cheniere's Sabine Pass facility in Louisiana. An expansion at Corpus Christi would add another 465 million cubic feet per day to its design capacity. Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Oil & Gas Production Project Database can click here for the project report.

Two facilities--Delfin LNG and Golden Pass--have secured permit extensions from the Trump administration already this year, while Commonwealth LNG has received a new permit. The extensions were necessary due to delays such as those experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Subscribers can click here for the Delfin, Golden Pass and Commonwealth project reports.

The EIA left its forecast for LNG exports unchanged from its February estimates. Total LNG exports are expected to average 14 Bcf/d and reach 16 Bcf/d by next year.

Subscribers can click here for all of the project reports mentioned in this article and here for the plant profiles.

Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking over 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 Trillion (USD).