U.S. LNG Levels Off from Early-Year Peaks

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Written by Daniel Graeber for IIR News Intelligence (Sugar Land, Texas)

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Summary

IIR News Intelligence has been reporting of recent declines in the LNG export potential because of regular maintenance. Now, the U.S. Department of Energy said long lead times for new developments are expected.

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U.S. LNG Facility Backed by QatarEnergy is Limited

IIR Energy data published Wednesday show regular maintenance pushed feed gas levels for LNG down nearly 2 billion cubic feet per day from recent highs, while the U.S. Department of Energy warns that long lead times could constrain growth in the sector.

One of the newest facilities in production is the Golden Pass export terminal. It entered the commissioning phase in mid-February, about a week before joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran began. According to Industrial Info Resources data, the Golden Pass terminal has a total investment value of US$3.8 billion.

On Wednesday, IIR Energy data showed a one-day maintenance event at Golden Pass, a joint venture between ExxonMobil and QatarEnergy, led to a 300 million cubic feet decline in feed gas.

QatarEnergy, one of the world leaders in exports of LNG is under force majeure, with much of its LNG infrastructure hobbled by drone strikes during the conflict in the Middle East. In the United States, the top LNG exporter globally, overall maintenance, including at the Freeport LNG facility, has dragged feed gas levels down by around 2 billion cubic feet per (Bcf) from recent highs near 19 Bcf.

Elsewhere, maintenance on the Tennessee and El Paso natural gas pipelines dragged on overall production levels, with output as of Tuesday down around 2 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) from recent highs.

That's curbing LNG activity in the United States at a time when supplies are limited because of the conflict in the Middle East. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has stranded about 20% of global maritime deliveries of the super-cooled gas.

The Department of Energy on Wednesday reported that 11.7 Bcf/d of gas in the liquid form moved through the Strait on average during the first quarter of 2025. Levels were closer to 7.3 Bcf/d for the three-month period ending March 31.

Is U.S. LNG Reaching Its Limits?

Based on federal data, meanwhile, those trends are showing to be persistent. The DOE in a weekly natural gas report showed 115 Bcf of gas in the liquid form left U.S. export terminals over the seven-day period ending May 1, an 18 Bcf decline from the prior week.

In its monthly market report for May, meanwhile, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported LNG export capacity increased by 0.9 Bcf/d already this year, in large part because of the launch of Golden Pass.

A new train, or liquefaction unit, at Corpus Christi facility is expected online this summer, adding another 0.2 Bcf/d in nominal export capacity. Readers can consult a detailed project report and plant profile from the Industrial Info Resources Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Oil & Gas Project and Plant databases.

"But long lead times for adding new export capacity will constrain growth in U.S. LNG exports," the EIA stated.

One project had already faltered. Energy Transfer Partners in a February filing with U.S. federal regulators said it was open to discussing opportunities for a third party to take over development of the Lake Charles LNG facility after it failed to secure adequate funding.

Overall U.S. exports of LNG are on pace to increase 12% from 2025 levels, but only 7% to 2027, should the EIA forecast prove accurate.

By the Numbers

• 12% increase in LNG exports from 2025 levels expected
• 7% increase year-on-year to 2027

Key Takeaways

• Golden Pass helped lift U.S. LNG potential.
• But it's down for maintenance.

About Industrial Info Resources
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, Industrial Info Resources is tracking over 250,000 current and future projects worth $30.2 Trillion (USD).