U.S. LNG Sector is in Overdrive

Written by Daniel Graeber for Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--The U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector was bolstered this week by new permits for the Calcasieu Pass terminal and an engineering contract for the proposed Commonwealth export facility, both in Louisiana.

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright on Monday signed a final authorization for Venture Global (Arlington, Virginia) to deliver additional LNG from its Calcasieu Pass terminal.

For exports to countries without a U.S. free-trade agreement (non-FTA), Venture Global is permitted for another 54.7 million cubic feet per day in exports of gas in the liquid form.

The initial Calcasieu Pass terminal had been operating in the commissioning phase over the last three years until mid-April. IIR data show the facility has a nameplate capacity of 1.6 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d), or around 10 million metric tons per year. A second phase is expected to come online by 2027.

Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Oil & Gas Production Project Database can learn more by viewing a report on Calcasieu Pass here and the planned second phase here.

It's unclear how U.S. President Donald Trump's trade policies would impact non-FTA agreements for LNG. Since returning to office in January, he's enacted general tariffs on nearly every U.S. trading partner, upending trade deals he brokered during a first term in office that ended in 2021.

Elsewhere, French firm Technip Energies (Nanterre, France) secured an engineering contract for work on the proposed Commonwealth LNG facility in Louisiana. Technip is slated to deliver six modular and scalable liquefaction trains. The contract was described only as "major," signifying its value is above $1.1 billion.

"This project is pivotal in enhancing global energy security by ensuring a reliable and efficient supply of LNG," Technip Chief Executive Officer Arnaud Pieton said Monday.

The contract is dependent on developers reaching a final investment decision (FID) on Commonwealth. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) signed off on the project in June, however, clearing the way for development. It already has the permits necessary to deliver cargo to non-FTA countries.

Commonwealth, a Kimmeridge (New York, New York) company, expects the facility will have a nameplate capacity of 1.3 Bcf/d, or 9.5 million metric tons per year.

Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Project Database can learn more by viewing a report on Commonwealth LNG here.

The U.S. is the largest LNG exporter in the world, and recently passed Russia to take the No. 2 position in terms of market share in Europe, behind Norway. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates total LNG exports will average 15 Bcf/d this year and reach 16 Bcf/d by 2026.

Markets are bloated, however. The International Energy Agency estimates that global LNG export capacity grew at an annual pace of about 1,700 cubic feet per year between 2019 and June 2025, double the average rate between 2014 and 2018.

U.S. natural gas production, however, is on pace to decline. Federal estimates put total marketed natural gas production at 116.1 Bcf/d for 2025 and 115.9 Bcf/d for next year.

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 more than 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 Trillion (USD).