US LNG Exports Surge 23% as New Capacity Boosts Shipments
US liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports surged 23% in the first half of 2026, driven by new terminals and expansions at existing facilities increasing export capacity. The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported that LNG exports averaged 17.4 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) during the first six months of this year, up from the same period in 2025.
The increase marked the fastest growth in US LNG exports since the country began large-scale LNG exports in 2016. The EIA estimates that US LNG exports will average 17.3 Bcf/d in the second half of 2026 before rising to 18.7 Bcf/d in the first half of 2027.
High global LNG prices also supported US exports during the first half of the year, keeping shipments near maximum output levels. The average price at Europe's benchmark Title Transfer Facility (TTF) in the Netherlands stood at $14.74 per million British thermal units (MMBtu) in 1H26, up from $13.10/MMBtu in 1H25.