US LNG Dominance Set to Double in Five Years Amid Record Capacity Growth

The United States has emerged as the top supplier of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to world consumers, just ten years after its first export cargo left Texas. This dramatic expansion shows no sign of slowing down, with analysts and industry executives projecting that record U.S. LNG export capacity will double in just five years.

According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), the United States is currently processing around 18 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas into LNG, making it the top supplier. This growth can be attributed to abundant natural gas supply and reserves, flexible LNG export contracts, and relatively low feedgas costs.

Increasing international demand, particularly from Europe following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and a favorable investment climate have supported LNG infrastructure expansions in the U.S. Cheniere Energy exported the first LNG cargo from the lower 48 states on February 24, 2016, marking a new era for the U.S. LNG industry.

Cheniere has invested $50 billion in growing its two export facilities over the past decade and aims to double output to 100 million metric tonnes per annum by the mid-2030s. Two of the world's three largest LNG exporters, Cheniere and Venture Global LNG, are located in the U.S.