Venture Global’s Plaquemines LNG Terminal in Louisiana Begins Liquefied Natural Gas Exports

Venture Global’s Plaquemines LNG shipped its first cargo from its Louisiana facility on Dec. 26, according to an Jan. 13 report published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The cargo, being shipped to ENBW in Germany, marks over 60 LNG cargos sent from Venture Global into Germany from 2022. Plaquemines LNG is the eighth liquefied natural gas export terminal in the U.S. and one of two U.S. LNG export terminals that commenced LNG production during 2024. The Corpus Christi Stage 3 terminal also began production during December 2024.

The U.S. LNG industry is experiencing a notable growth phase and is set to increase its base load capacity by 73.6 million metric tons per annum (MTPA) by 2028. This expansion is characterized by the advancement of multiple major projects, intended to bolster the nation’s standing as a prominent LNG exporter. The U.S. LNG export sector has witnessed significant growth over the last 10 years. The U.S. Energy Department has authorized 48 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of natural gas for export since 2016. Of this 48 Bcf/day in total approved exports, 14 Bcf/d of associated capacity is currently operational, making the U.S. the largest exporter of LNG in the world. An additional 12 Bcf/d is under construction and projected to double current export volumes by 2030, and a further 22 Bcf/d of capacity exports has been approved by the department, but has not secured a final investment verdict to start construction.

The U.S. exported more LNG compared to any other nation in 2023. U.S. LNG exports averaged 11.9 Bcf/d during 2023, up 12 percent from the previous year. The utilization of U.S. LNG export capacity averaged 104 percent of nominal capacity and 85 percent of peak capacity across the seven U.S. LNG terminals operating in 2023.

The Plaquemines LNG is the second facility in the U.S. after Calcasieu Pass LNG that utilizes midscale liquefaction technology, which has a shorter project construction period. Venture Global LNG, the developer of both these export terminals, intends to bring Plaquemines LNG online in two phases.  Each phase encompasses nine blocks and each block contains two liquefaction units called trains for a total of 18 liquefaction trains with a combined nominal capacity of 1.3 Bcf/d and peak capacity of 1.6 Bcf/d.