U.S. LNG Exports Set to Surge 28% by 2027 as New Terminals Come Online

Federal forecasts project sharp growth in natural gas exports amid global supply disruptions and rising demand.

By yourNEWS Media Newsroom

U.S. natural gas exports are projected to increase significantly over the next two years as new liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities begin operations, according to a recent forecast from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

In an April 16 statement, the agency said net exports of U.S. natural gas are expected to rise 18 percent to 18.7 billion cubic feet per day in 2026, followed by an additional 10 percent increase to 20.5 billion cubic feet per day in 2027. The growth reflects expanding export capacity driven by multiple large-scale LNG projects.

Five export facilities are scheduled to come online or expand operations across 2026 and 2027. These include new liquefaction units at Corpus Christi Stage 3 and Golden Pass LNG in 2026, followed by additional capacity from Port Arthur LNG Phase 1, Rio Grande LNG, and further expansion at Golden Pass in 2027.

A joint venture between ExxonMobil and QatarEnergy began liquefying natural gas at the Golden Pass facility in Texas in late March, marking an early step toward increasing supply to global markets. The additional output is expected to contribute to a market currently experiencing tight conditions.

The United States became the world’s largest LNG exporter in 2022, surpassing both Qatar and Australia. Approximately 70 percent of U.S. LNG shipments are currently directed to Europe, reflecting sustained demand from the region.

Contract activity has also accelerated. The EIA previously reported that developers signed agreements for 40 million tons per year of LNG in 2025, the highest level since 2022. The agency attributed the increase to favorable contract terms and growing demand in Europe and Asia, along with the resumption of export permit reviews by the Department of Energy after a pause in 2024.

Global supply dynamics continue to influence export activity. The EIA indicated that U.S. LNG terminals are expected to operate at slightly higher utilization rates this year due to disruptions affecting shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a key transit route for global energy supplies.

The waterway, located south of Iran, handles more than 20 percent of global seaborne oil trade and a significant share of LNG shipments. Ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran has disrupted transit in the region, increasing demand for alternative supply routes.

The EIA estimates that disruptions—primarily affecting shipments from Qatar—currently account for more than 10 billion cubic feet per day, or roughly 20 percent of global LNG supply. Damage to Qatar’s Ras Laffan export facility in March affected approximately 17 percent of the country’s export capacity.

Following the incident, Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi said the company would invoke force majeure on some long-term contracts due to the extent of the damage. “The damage sustained by the LNG facilities will take between three to five years to repair,” he said, adding that the disruption would affect customers in Asia and Europe.

Qatar remains the second-largest LNG exporter globally, with around 90 percent of its shipments destined for Asian markets.

Despite the anticipated increase in U.S. capacity, analysts caution that new supply may not fully offset ongoing disruptions. In a recent assessment, ING Bank stated that global LNG markets are likely to remain constrained even if shipping routes normalize.

“There is little in the way of supply alternatives for the market to offset the sizeable volumes we are seeing disrupted from the Persian Gulf,” the bank said. “The ramp-up of new U.S. LNG capacity is simply not enough.”

ING added that reduced demand may play a role in balancing the market, particularly in the power sector, where some regions could shift toward alternative fuels such as coal.

As new U.S. export capacity comes online, global energy markets are expected to remain sensitive to geopolitical developments and infrastructure constraints, with supply growth occurring alongside continued uncertainty in key producing regions.