Corpus Christi Stage 3 Produces First LNG Cargo: EIA

Cheniere Energy’s Corpus Christi Stage 3, an extension of the current Corpus Christi liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facility, produced its first LNG cargo during February 2025, according to a March 11 report published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The Corpus Christi Stage 3 expansion facility consists of seven midscale trains, with a combined nominal capacity of 1.3 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) and peak capacity of 1.5 Bcf/d.

Corpus Christi Stage 3 commenced the production of LNG during December 2024. The beginning of LNG exports from Corpus Christi Stage 3 follows the Plaquemines LNG Phase 1 export facility, which also started operations during December.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has altered global energy trading dynamics and incentivized U.S. LNG exports on the global market. In 2023, Europe received over 60 percent of U.S. LNG exports, playing a vital role in replenishing its lost gas supplies after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. By the end of the decade, an additional 12 Bcf/d of U.S. export capacity, already authorized and under construction, is expected to come online, potentially doubling U.S. exports.

The U.S. LNG export sector has witnessed significant growth over the last 10 years. In what is expected to further boost U.S. LNG export capability, the department recently ended the former Biden administration’s pause on new LNG export permit reviews. The move, which follows President Trump’s executive order, directed the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management to resume consideration of pending applications to export LNG to countries without a free trade agreement with the U.S. in accordance with the Natural Gas Act.

Cheniere Energy, the project’s developer, specified that the first three midscale trains at Corpus Christi Stage 3 are projected to commence during 2025 and the remaining four trains in 2026. When all seven trains are operational, the total nominal capacity of Corpus Christi LNG will be 3.1 Bcf/d, with a peak capacity of 3.9 Bcf/d.