January 11, 2024

The U.S. became the world’s largest LNG producer by installed capacity in 2022 driven by the boom in LNG plant construction. As of today (July, 2023) there are 5 projects under construction phase in USA (with total capacity above 88 mtpa or 11.7 Bcf/d). These projects represent almost 100% of the current capacity in USA (12,3Bcf/d) and planned to be on full capacity already in Y2028.

Venture Global’s Plaquemines LNG (10 mtpa) and Cheniere’s Corpus Christi LNG Stage 3 T1-T7 (10 mtpa) in the US both took final investment decisions (FID) in 2022 and started construction.

Located in Louisiana, Plaquemines LNG is being developed in two phases and has nameplate capacity of 20 mtpa. Plaquemines Phase 1 T1-T18 (10 mtpa) was approved in May 2022 with first LNG production anticipated in 2024. Venture Global took FID on Phase 2 of the Plaquemines LNG project T19-T36 (10 mtpa) in March 2023 with $7.8 billion in financing, bringing total financing for this project to $21 billion.

Corpus Christi LNG is in Texas and is Cheniere’s second LNG export facility on the US Gulf Coast (after Sabine Pass LNG). The facility now has three trains (T1-T3) in commercial operation with a total authorised capacity of 13.5 mtpa. Cheniere’s current priority is to expand the facility by adding seven trains, each with capacity of approximately 1.42 mtpa. FID was announced in June 2022, with first LNG production anticipated in 2027.

In March 2023 Sempra announced that its 70%-owned subsidiary, Sempra Infrastructure Partners, LP (Sempra Infrastructure), reached a positive final investment decision (FID) for the development, construction and operation of the Port Arthur LNG Phase 1 project in Jefferson County, Texas. The construction by Bechtel leadership started recently.

Two projects with planned capacity above 6 Bcf/d (Sabine Pass stage 5 and Rio Grande LNG, TX) are under approval process (on Graff they indicated as proposed)

References:

Casey, J. (2023, May, 03), Sempra and Bechtel discuss construction of Port Arthur LNG. LNG Industry.
Sempra (2023, March, 20). Sempra Launches Port Arthur LNG Project.
Cheniere (2022, February, 07), Cheniere Announces Substantial Completion of Train 6 at the Sabine Pass Liquefaction Project. Press Release.
Cheniere (2022, June 22). Cheniere Announces Positive Final Investment Decision on the Corpus Christi Stage 3 Liquefaction Project. Press Release.
Cheniere (2023, March 31). Construction reports for the Corpus Christi Liquefaction Stage 3 Project. Press Release.
Cheniere (2023, June 7). Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and Sabine Pass Liquefaction Stage V, LLC. Submission to FERC.
Cheniere (2023). Corpus Christi Liquefaction.
Cheniere (2024), Sabine Pass Liquefaction.
Corey, P (2023, June 21), Cheniere strikes 15-year LNG offtake deal with Equinor tied to Sabine Pass expansion. S&P Global.
Cunningham, N. (2023, June 1), Rio Grande LNG’s Developer Led Ghostwriting Campaign to Get Federal Approval. DeSmog.
Disavino, S. (2023, March,13), Global LNG to go ahead with phase 2 of Plaquemines, La., export plant. Reuters.
Disavino S. (2023, June 23). U.S. LNG producers poised to leapfrog rivals with three new projects. Reuters.
EIA, (2022, September, 6). U.S. LNG export capacity to grow as three additional projects begin construction.
Global Energy Monitor. (2024). Plaquemines LNG Terminal.
GoldenPass LNG (2024). LNG Export Project.
Nextdecade (2024). Rio Grande LNG.
Tellurian (2022, March, 28). Tellurian’s Driftwood LNG Begins Construction. Press Release.
Venture Global, (2022, May, 25), Venture Global Announces Final Investment Decision and Financial Close for Plaquemines LNG. Press Release.