US LNG Export Capacity fi Overtake Qatar in 2026, Plaquemines Drive di Surge
United States set fi become di largest LNG exporter in di world wid di Plaquemines facility ramp-up, a development weh shape Jamaica gas import options through New Fortress.
Di United States poised fi overtake Qatar as di world largest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in 2026, accordin to di latest Short-Term Energy Outlook from di Energy Information Administration (EIA). Total US export capacity will reach 16.4 billion cubic feet per day (bcf/d) by end of next year, ahead of Qatar 14.0 bcf/d an Australia 11.5 bcf/d. Di catalyst a Venture Global Plaquemines LNG facility in Louisiana, weh expected fi reach full 20-million-tonne-per-annum (mtpa) capacity by mid-2026.
Plaquemines join Sabine Pass, Corpus Christi, Cameron, Freeport, Cove Point an Calcasieu Pass in di US fleet. Cheniere Energy, di pioneer of US LNG exports back in 2016, continue fi dominate wid 45 mtpa across im two facilities, while ExxonMobil-QatarEnergy Golden Pass project finally a near completion after years of delay, addin another 18 mtpa from 2027. Total contracted volumes from US terminals exceed 90 mtpa, wid European utilities an Asian buyers like JERA, Kogas an CNOOC takin di bulk.
Fi Jamaica, di US LNG boom directly support di island gas-to-power transition. New Fortress Energy (NFE), through im Montego Bay an Old Harbour terminals, supply roun 6 mtpa-equivalent fi power generation by JPS an industrial users. NFE source di majority of im cargoes from Sabine Pass an Cameron, an di expanded US capacity should keep delivered prices under US$11 per MMBtu fi di Caribbean market, well below di US$14-16 weh prevailed during di 2022 European gas crisis.
Henry Hub natural gas prices a trade roun US$3.20 per MMBtu, an di abundant Permian an Haynesville production keep di feedstock cost competitive. Di Biden administration LNG export pause, imposed in early 2024 an then lifted by di Trump administration after di November 2024 election, did delay several projects includin CP2 an Rio Grande LNG. Di new permittin environment now favour rapid approvals, an industry expect at least three more FIDs in 2026.
Qatar nuh standin still. Di North Field expansion will add 48 mtpa by 2030, takin Qatari capacity to 142 mtpa, but di phased timeline mean di country temporarily lose di top spot. QatarEnergy CEO Saad al-Kaabi tell di FT seh long-term contracts wid Chinese an European buyers protect di country market share, an di low production cost (roun US$2 per MMBtu) ensure profitability even in a downturn.
Environmental groups continue fi challenge new US LNG infrastructure, citin methane emissions from upstream operations an di lifecycle carbon footprint of exported gas. Di EPA Methane Emissions Reduction Programme charge producers US$1,500 per tonne of methane above thresholds, an di EU Methane Regulation effective 2027 will require import certifications. Compliance cost could add US$0.30-0.50 per MMBtu fi US exports.
Fi Jamaica energy security, di expanded US LNG capacity reduce di risk of supply disruption an support di Integrated Resource Plan target of 50% renewables by 2030, wid gas servin as di bridge fuel. NFE recently sign a 20-year extension wid JPS, lockin in stable supply an pricin fi di national grid.