Feed Gas for U.S. LNG Down 10% from Recent Highs

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

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Summary

The Freeport LNG terminal suffered a hiccup during the weekend. Maintenance is curbing feed gas to larger terminals as the Middle East conflict creates global supply-side challenges.

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Corpus Christi, Cameron Limited by Maintenance

With global volumes sidelined by ongoing fighting in the Middle East, data show regular maintenance continues to drag on the U.S. potential to export liquefied natural gas (LNG).

The amount of feed gas running to U.S. facilities that can export LNG was around 17 billion cubic feet as of Monday, more than 10% below recent highs. In its NATGAS Today report, Industrial Info Resources data show maintenance curbed feed gas volumes at the Corpus Christi and Cameron export facilities by about 25% each.

On Friday, the troubled Freeport LNG facility saw its feed gas volumes drop from recent highs near 1.8 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) to 1.36 Bcf/d, though levels had returned to normal by Monday. The Texas facility has experienced regular issues since operations began in 2019.

Both domestic consumption and production, meanwhile, were above year-ago levels, data show.

The United States is the world leader in exports of LNG, helping to support global energy security at least since 2022, when legacy gas volumes from Russia were sidelined because of sanctions imposed in response to its invasion of Ukraine. War in the Middle East, meanwhile, has curtailed LNG production from Qatar, among the largest suppliers in the world.

A May report from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) found there are 40 major energy installations that were damaged by conflict in the Middle East. Based on its assessment, even if the conflict ended today, it would take years before the market returns to normal. Damage to the Ras Laffan facility in Qatar could take as long as five years to repair.

"The secret's out: global fossil fuel infrastructure is fragile," IEEFA analysts wrote.

U.S. LNG Sector Primed for Growth

At home, developers are doing well. On Monday, Jack Fusco, the president and chief executive officer of LNG producer Cheniere Energy said he was raising the company's financial guidance because of higher market margins and an expected increase in LNG production. "We look forward to advancing accretive, brownfield growth at Sabine Pass and Corpus Christi, as we continue to create long-term sustainable value for shareholders," he said.

By volume, Sabine Pass is the largest LNG export terminal in the United States. Combined with Corpus Christi, total capacity represents about 38% of U.S. throughput.

Deliveries for Cheniere improved by at least 10% compared to year-ago levels. The total number of vessels departing its export terminals increased 11% to 187, while processing levels in general climbed by 13% compared to the first quarter of 2025.

Cheniere said it's on pace to surpass 5,000 cargoes of LNG and 10 billion cubic feet in natural gas processing capacity by the end of the year. Net revenue of $5.8 billion over the three-month period ending March 31 marked an 8% increase over year-ago levels.

By the Numbers

• 10% decline in U.S. LNG feed gas from recent records
• 8% y-o-y increase in revenue for LNG producer Cheniere Energy

Key Takeaways

• U.S. LNG curbed by regular maintenance
• Wartime supplies of the super-cooled gas are at a premium.

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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).