WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Energy has approved an immediate increase in natural gas exports from a major liquefied natural gas terminal in Louisiana, allowing the facility to ship more American fuel to international markets.
What This Means for You
- U.S. LNG Exports Expanding: A Louisiana terminal can now export more natural gas overseas.
- Global Energy Supply Impact: The additional exports are intended to strengthen global natural gas availability.
- Policy Shift Continues: The decision follows broader federal efforts to expand LNG export approvals.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright on Friday authorized a 13% increase in export capacity at Venture Global’s Plaquemines LNG Terminal in Louisiana.
The order allows the facility to export an additional 0.45 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day as liquefied natural gas, known as LNG, to countries that do not have a free trade agreement with the United States.
Liquefied natural gas is natural gas that has been cooled to a liquid state so it can be transported overseas by ship.
Export Capacity at Louisiana Terminal Expands
With the new authorization, the Plaquemines LNG Terminal can now export up to 3.85 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day to both free trade agreement countries and non-FTA countries.
Federal officials said the expansion is intended to increase global access to U.S. natural gas supplies.
“At a time when Iran and its terrorist proxies attempt to disrupt the global energy supply, the Trump Administration remains committed to strengthening American energy dominance,” Wright said.
“Thanks to President Trump and American innovators, the U.S. is not only the largest producer and exporter of LNG but will more than double its LNG exports in the coming years,” he added.
Officials Cite Global Energy Demand
Department of Energy officials said the increased export authorization will allow additional shipments of U.S. liquefied natural gas to international buyers.
Kyle Haustveit, assistant secretary for the department’s Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office, said the expansion supports global energy supply.
“Our mission to enable secure, reliable, and affordable energy has never been more important than now,” Haustveit said. “I am pleased that DOE can take this action to be able to make an immediate difference to help add to global supplies of LNG.”
Louisiana Facility Ramps Up Production
The Plaquemines LNG facility began exporting natural gas in December 2024 and has increased output rapidly.
Officials said the facility has already reached export levels of more than 3 billion cubic feet per day.
The new authorization allows the terminal to immediately increase shipments to non-free trade agreement countries, which account for most U.S. LNG imports.
LNG Export Policy Expands
According to the Department of Energy, the United States is currently the world’s largest producer and exporter of natural gas.
Officials said that since President Donald J. Trump ended a federal pause on LNG export approvals, the department has approved more than 18.6 billion cubic feet per day in new LNG export authorizations.
Energy officials said the expanded capacity reflects broader federal efforts to increase domestic energy production and export capability.
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