-- The US is poised to significantly expand its dominance in the global energy market as a massive wave of new liquefaction capacity is scheduled to come online through 2031, according to ananalysis, based on US Energy Information Administration data.
US export facilities are currently operating at near-peak levels, with actual exports averaging around 18 billion cubic feet per day in March 2026. This exceeds the nominal baseload capacity of roughly 15.4 Bcf/d, as terminals often run above nameplate levels.
In the remainder of 2026, the industry expects to add about 2 Bcf/d of new capacity, led by QatarEnergy and Exxon Mobil (XOM) as they ramp up the first two trains at Golden Pass, which will contribute nearly 1.4 Bcf/d.
Cheniere Energy (LNG) is also completing the final units at its Corpus Christi Stage 3 expansion, adding 0.6 Bcf/d. These additions are projected to bring total US nominal capacity to around 17.5 Bcf/d by year-end.
The expansion accelerates in 2027, with approximately 5.4 Bcf/d of new capacity scheduled to enter service. This includes the third train at Golden Pass, adding 0.7 Bcf/d, and Venture Global (VG) commissioning Plaquemines Phase 2 in Louisiana, contributing 1.1 Bcf/d.
Later in the year, two major greenfield projects are set to come online: Sempra (SRE) bringing Port Arthur Phase 1 online at 1.6 Bcf/d and NextDecade starting up the Rio Grande facility with 1.4 Bcf/d.
Additional permitted increases at Plaquemines LNG and Elba Island LNG total 0.6 Bcf/d. These developments are expected to lift US capacity to about 22.9 Bcf/d by the end of 2027.
Momentum carries into 2028, with an additional 2 Bcf/d of capacity additions. NextDecade is expected to complete additional units at Rio Grande, adding 0.7 Bcf/d, while Venture Global's CP2 LNG Phase 1 is slated to contribute 1.3 Bcf/d. These projects are projected to raise total US export capacity to approximately 24.9 Bcf/d by year-end.
The current construction cycle is expected to culminate between 2029 and 2031, followed by another wave of expansions.
Woodside Energy (WDS) is expected to add 2.2 Bcf/d from its Louisiana LNG project, alongside further expansions including Port Arthur Phase 2 at 1.6 Bcf/d, Rio Grande at 1.4 Bcf/d, and additional Venture Global capacity of 0.6 Bcf/d.
Upon completion, total US LNG export capacity is forecast to exceed 30 Bcf/d, solidifying the US role as the world's leading LNG supplier.