New LNG projects strengthen U.S. position as world's largest Exporter

Sept. 6, 2022
A new report by the federal Energy Information Administration says that addition of three new major LNG terminal projects on the Gulf Coast should bring total U.S. LNG export capacity to nearly 17 billion cubic feet per day (bcf/d) over the next few years

Even as Russia decreases its flow of natural gas into Europe, the United States strengthens its claim as the world’s top liquified natural gas (LNG) exporter after only six years of export activity.

A new report by the federal Energy Information Administration says that addition of three new major LNG terminal projects on the Gulf Coast should bring total U.S. LNG export capacity to nearly 17 billion cubic feet per day (bcf/d) over the next few years. Much of this product at these export facilities, which chill U.S. natural gas to liquify and make it stable for shipping, will go to customers in Europe, Asia and Africa.

The projects under construction are the Golden Pass, Plaquemines and Corpus Christi Stage III terminals. Altogether, they would add 5.7 bcf/d by 2025, according to the EIA.

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Each terminal site utilitizes refrigeration trains to chill the natural gas to temperatures to minus 260 degree Fahrenheit (162 Celsisus). This converts the gas into a liquid, which is then exported to regasification units in other nations and then used for heating and power generation.

The dramatic rise in LNG export capacity was made possible by the shale gas drilling revolution combining hydraulic fracturing and directional drilling. U.S. production broke yet another record last year by topping 90 billion cubic feet per day, according to reports.

Other LNG export terminals now completed and in operation include Sabine Pass, Corpus Christi, Cameron, Freeport, and Calcasieu Pass. The latter is the most recent completed.