U.S. LNG exports rose 23% in the first half of 2026 because of higher capacity

What the source reports

Energy Information Administration, Liquefaction Capacity File ; U.

Department of Energy, Natural Gas Imports and Exports Monthly Note: Golden Pass LNG exported less than 0.

2 Bcf/d of gas between April and June 2026; Corpus Christi totals include Stage 3 trains.

liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports averaged 17.

4 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) in the first six months of the year, 23% more than the same period in 2025, according to our Natural Gas Monthly .

In our latest Short-Term Energy Outlook , we estimate U.

3 Bcf/d in the second half of 2026 (2H26) before rising to 18.

Export capacity additions from startup production at new terminals and expansions at existing terminals boosted LNG exports at the fastest rate since the United States began large-scale exports in 2016.

Plaquemines LNG is exporting at full capacity, and Corpus Christi Stage 3 is currently exporting from six of seven liquefaction trains.

These terminals, when complete, will increase nominal U.

export capacity by a combined 4.

Golden Pass LNG began exports in April 2026 and is expected to increase exports from Train 1 through the end of 2026, adding another 0.

7 Bcf/d of nominal export capacity.

Golden Pass LNG Train 2 is expected to be completed in late 2026.

Global LNG prices remained sufficiently high throughout 1H26 to continue incentivizing U.

exports near maximum output levels.

In March, disruptions to shipments of LNG through of the Strait of Hormuz cut off 20% of global LNG supplies , mostly from Qatar.

The disruption pushed global LNG prices higher and forced Asian buyers, who import approximately 80% of Qatari LNG supplies , to compete for limited spot cargoes on the open market.

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