This story requires a subscription
This includes a single user license.
The Biden administration said in January it will pause pending decisions on exports of LNG to non-FTA countries until DOE can update the underlying analyses for authorizations.
According to DOE, this multi-volume study updates DOE’s understanding of the potential effects of US LNG exports on the domestic economy; US households and consumers; communities that live near locations where natural gas is produced or exported; domestic and international energy security, including effects of US trading partners; and the environment and climate.
DOE said it intends to use the study to inform its public interest review of, and ultimately decisions in, certain applications to export LNG to countries with which the US does not have FTA requiring national treatment for trade in natural gas, and with which trade is not prohibited by US law or policy (non-FTA applications), future proceedings, and for other purposes.
“Any sound and durable approach for considering additional authorizations should consider where those LNG exports are headed, and whether targeted guardrails may be utilized to protect the public interest,” DOE said in the study.
The study will have a 60-day comment period that will begin once published in the Federal Register.
The effects of this study remain to be seen.
The Trump administration is expected to resume with non-FTA approvals in 2025.
Largest LNG exporter
DOE noted the US LNG export sector has experienced “transformative and unprecedented” growth in just a decade, with the first LNG exports from the lower-48 states commencing in 2016.
DOE has authorized 48 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of natural gas for export, or nearly half of current domestic production.
Of this 48 Bcf/day in total authorized exports, 14 Bcf/d of associated capacity is now operating, making the US the largest exporter of LNG in the world.
Another 12 Bcf/d is under construction and expected to double present export volumes by 2030, at which time the US will remain the top exporter, DOE said.
And a further 22 Bcf/d of capacity exports has been approved by DOE, but has not secured a final investment decision to begin construction.
Currently, the US exports LNG via Cheniere’s Sabine Pass and Corpus Christi terminals, Sempra Infrastructure’s Cameron LNG terminal, Venture Global’s Calcasieu Pass, the Freeport LNG facility, the Cove Point LNG facility, and the Elba Island terminal.
Venture Global LNG recently started producing LNG at its Plaquemines LNG export plant in Louisiana. With this, Plaquemines LNG becomes the eighth US LNG export facility.
Cheniere’s Corpus Christi Stage 3 is also expected to begin LNG production by the end of the year.
In addition, energy giants QatarEnergy and ExxonMobil are working to launch their Golden Pass LNG export facility in 2025 or 2026.