US LNG Exports Surge 23% Amid Global Market Disruptions

US LNG exports surged by 23% in the first half of 2026, driven primarily by increased liquefaction capacity. The average daily volume reached 17.4 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d), a significant increase from the same period in 2025. This growth is attributed to the commissioning of new facilities and the expansion of existing terminals.

The addition of Plaquemines LNG, which is already operating at full capacity, and Corpus Christi Stage 3, which exports from six of its seven liquefaction trains, has added approximately 4 Bcf/d of nominal capacity. Golden Pass LNG began exports in April 2026, with Train 1 adding about 0.7 Bcf/d of nominal capacity.

Global market conditions also favored US LNG exports, with international prices remaining high due to disruptions to shipments crossing the Strait of Hormuz, which reduced global LNG supply by around 20%. Asian buyers had to compete for available shipments on the spot market, leading to a 108% increase in US LNG shipments to Asia compared to the first half of 2025.

US LNG exports are expected to continue growing, with the EIA projecting an average volume of 17.3 Bcf/d during the second half of 2026 and potentially reaching 18.7 Bcf/d by the first half of 2027. The expansion of US liquefaction capacity coincides with high demand for flexible cargoes in the international market.