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Benford Investment Targets US Oil, Gas Opportunities as LNG Demand Grows

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Benford Investment is expanding its US oil and natural gas investment focus as record production and rising LNG exports support demand, the company said Tuesday.

The Hong Kong-based investment firm will assess opportunities across oil and gas production, energy infrastructure and businesses serving rising domestic and international energy demand.

US marketed natural-gas production should average a record 122.5 billion cubic feet per day in 2026, the company said, citing data from the US Energy Information Administration.

Five LNG projects are expected to start operations through 2027, with US LNG exports projected to rise from about 15 Bcf/d in 2025 to roughly 17 Bcf/d in 2026, according to EIA.

Benford said expanding LNG infrastructure will allow US natural-gas producers to serve domestic customers while reaching international markets, supporting its broader investment focus.

The company will also examine established producing regions such as the Permian Basin, where natural-gas output should average about 29.2 Bcf/d in 2026.

Permian Basin gas production is expected to increase about 6% from 2025, while Benford will assess production economics, infrastructure, reserves, operations and balance-sheet strength.

Benford said reliable energy supplies, resilient infrastructure, rising electricity demand and industrial activity will support investment interest in US oil and natural gas.

The company will weigh commodity price exposure, operating costs, capital needs, financial strength, regulatory and environmental factors, and potential long-term returns, stressing that it will assess each opportunity individually.

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