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Released March 10, 2025 | SUGAR LAND
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Written by Daniel Graeber for Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--U.S. natural gas production remains below the expected average for the year, due in part to cold weather. But exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) remain elevated, data show.
Data from IIR Energy show total U.S. exports of LNG have averaged 15.6 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) so far in March. That's 9% higher than the average for February and nearly 30% higher than year-ago levels.
The eight functioning LNG export terminals in the U.S. collectively were operating above 90% of their peak combined capacity of 16.6 Bcf/d as of Friday. The federal government estimates 2025 exports will average 14 Bcf/d this year and increase to 16 Bcf/d in 2026.
LNG capacity is ramping up. In December, IIR Energy found the Plaquemines facility, operated by Venture Global (NYSE:VG) (Arlington, Virginia), had received its first batch of feedgas and later delivered its debut cargo to German energy company EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG (Karlsruhe, Germany).
Plaquemines had scaled up quickly, with data showing the plant running at about 80% of its peak capacity of 1.89 Bcf/d. Of the 32 vessels laden with LNG that left U.S. export terminals over the seven-day period ending March 5, three of them left from Plaquemines, which is located south of New Orleans.
Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Oil & Gas Project Database can learn more by viewing the Plaquemines plant profile and related project reports.
Joined by Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry and federal Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Venture Global on Thursday announced it already was planning for expansions at Plaquemines. The expanded plant would have a whopping 24 liquefaction units, or trains.
"Our planned expansion of Plaquemines will make it the largest LNG export facility built in North America, supplying LNG to our allies while making a substantial impact on the U.S. balance of trade," said Mike Sabel, the chief executive officer at Venture Global.
The expansion would bring the total capacity at Plaquemines to more than 45 million tonnes per year (6 Bcf/d). Sabine Pass, operated by Cheniere Energy Incorporated (NYSE:LNG) (Houston, Texas), currently is the largest LNG export facility in the U.S. with a 4.56 Bcf/d peak capacity. Subscribers can learn more about Sabine Pass in a detailed plant profile.
The U.S. delivered its first batch of LNG in 2016 and became the world leader in exports in 2022. Then-President Joe Biden enacted a pause on new LNG facilities while his administration studied the potential emissions up and down the supply chain.
Natural gas is composed primarily of methane, which is a potent greenhouse gas with a warming potential far greater than carbon dioxide. Pursuing a legacy of energy dominance, President Donald Trump reversed the ban and has since sanctioned two more LNG export facilities: Commonwealth LNG and Golden Pass.
Subscribers can read detailed project reports on Commonwealth LNG and Golden Pass.
World-leading LNG exports, meanwhile, are supported by the vast reserves of natural gas found primarily in the U.S. inland shale basins. The federal government expects production to average 114.7 Bcf/d this year and increase to 117.9 Bcf/d in 2026.
IIR Energy found natural gas production was subdued, however, at about 103 Bcf/d, with the latest round of inclement weather curbing about 1 Bcf/d in total gas output. A low-pressure system over Canada combined with a cold front over parts of the Dakotas to bring cold Canadian air across much of the central Plains to the Gulf Coast early this week.
Total U.S. natural gas demand already exceeds production. Total U.S. gas consumption in January, the last full month for which the government has data, averaged 124.4 Bcf/d, 12% higher than the five-year average.
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) platform 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 more than 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 trillion (USD).
Data from IIR Energy show total U.S. exports of LNG have averaged 15.6 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) so far in March. That's 9% higher than the average for February and nearly 30% higher than year-ago levels.
The eight functioning LNG export terminals in the U.S. collectively were operating above 90% of their peak combined capacity of 16.6 Bcf/d as of Friday. The federal government estimates 2025 exports will average 14 Bcf/d this year and increase to 16 Bcf/d in 2026.
LNG capacity is ramping up. In December, IIR Energy found the Plaquemines facility, operated by Venture Global (NYSE:VG) (Arlington, Virginia), had received its first batch of feedgas and later delivered its debut cargo to German energy company EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG (Karlsruhe, Germany).
Plaquemines had scaled up quickly, with data showing the plant running at about 80% of its peak capacity of 1.89 Bcf/d. Of the 32 vessels laden with LNG that left U.S. export terminals over the seven-day period ending March 5, three of them left from Plaquemines, which is located south of New Orleans.
Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Oil & Gas Project Database can learn more by viewing the Plaquemines plant profile and related project reports.
Joined by Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry and federal Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Venture Global on Thursday announced it already was planning for expansions at Plaquemines. The expanded plant would have a whopping 24 liquefaction units, or trains.
"Our planned expansion of Plaquemines will make it the largest LNG export facility built in North America, supplying LNG to our allies while making a substantial impact on the U.S. balance of trade," said Mike Sabel, the chief executive officer at Venture Global.
The expansion would bring the total capacity at Plaquemines to more than 45 million tonnes per year (6 Bcf/d). Sabine Pass, operated by Cheniere Energy Incorporated (NYSE:LNG) (Houston, Texas), currently is the largest LNG export facility in the U.S. with a 4.56 Bcf/d peak capacity. Subscribers can learn more about Sabine Pass in a detailed plant profile.
The U.S. delivered its first batch of LNG in 2016 and became the world leader in exports in 2022. Then-President Joe Biden enacted a pause on new LNG facilities while his administration studied the potential emissions up and down the supply chain.
Natural gas is composed primarily of methane, which is a potent greenhouse gas with a warming potential far greater than carbon dioxide. Pursuing a legacy of energy dominance, President Donald Trump reversed the ban and has since sanctioned two more LNG export facilities: Commonwealth LNG and Golden Pass.
Subscribers can read detailed project reports on Commonwealth LNG and Golden Pass.
World-leading LNG exports, meanwhile, are supported by the vast reserves of natural gas found primarily in the U.S. inland shale basins. The federal government expects production to average 114.7 Bcf/d this year and increase to 117.9 Bcf/d in 2026.
IIR Energy found natural gas production was subdued, however, at about 103 Bcf/d, with the latest round of inclement weather curbing about 1 Bcf/d in total gas output. A low-pressure system over Canada combined with a cold front over parts of the Dakotas to bring cold Canadian air across much of the central Plains to the Gulf Coast early this week.
Total U.S. natural gas demand already exceeds production. Total U.S. gas consumption in January, the last full month for which the government has data, averaged 124.4 Bcf/d, 12% higher than the five-year average.
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) platform 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 more than 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 trillion (USD).
