US LNG Exports Surge 23%, Driven by New Terminals and High Prices

The US liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports have surged by 23% in the first half of this year, averaging 17.4 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d), according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA). This increase is largely due to new terminal additions and expansions at existing terminals, which have boosted LNG exports at the fastest rate since the US began large-scale exports in 2016.

The EIA notes that Venture Global's Plaquemines LNG is exporting at full capacity, while Cheniere has completed the Corpus Christi Stage 3 project. Additionally, Golden Pass LNG, owned by QatarEnergy and ExxonMobil, 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.

The global LNG prices have remained high throughout the first half of this year, incentivizing US exports near maximum output levels. The average price at Europe's benchmark Title Transfer Facility in the Netherlands was $14.74 per million British thermal units (MMBtu) in the first half of this year, up from $13.10/MMBtu in the same period last year.

The Strait of Hormuz disruption in March cut off 20% of global LNG supplies, mostly from Qatar, pushing global LNG prices higher and forcing Asian buyers to compete for limited spot cargoes on the open market. As a result, US LNG shipments to Asia doubled in the first half of this year compared to last year.