US LNG Exports Rise 23%, But Europe Misses Out on Benefits

The United States has seen a significant increase in liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, with a 23% year-over-year jump to approximately 962 TWh in the first half of 2026. This growth was driven mainly by the start-up of new terminals such as Plaquemines and Corpus Christi, which helped meet increased demand for supplies to Asia.

However, Europe did not benefit significantly from this increase, with LNG exports remaining almost unchanged at approximately 566 TWh. The largest buyers of US LNG were Egypt and the Netherlands, accounting for around 96 TWh and 93 TWh respectively.

The value of exports reached approximately EUR 23 billion, a significant increase from EUR 19.4 billion in the same period last year. This is due to higher delivery volumes rather than an increase in export prices.