US LNG Exports Surge 23% in H1 2026 on New Capacity and Strong Global Demand
US liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports surged by 23% in the first half of 2026, according to data from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).
The increase was driven by new terminals and expansions at existing facilities, which boosted export capacity. The EIA reported that US LNG exports averaged 17.4 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) during the first six months of 2026.
Exports to Asia more than doubled in the period, increasing by 2.3 Bcf/d or 108% from the same time last year. The disruptions to LNG shipments through the Strait of Hormuz in March also contributed to a sharp rise in US LNG shipments to Asia.
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, while the Japan-Korea Marker (JKM) reached $15.56/MMBtu.