U.S. LNG Exports Soar To Record Levels In March Amid Panic Buying |

Click Here for 150+ Global Oil Prices

Israel Restarts Second Offshore Gas Field After U.S.-Iran Ceasefire

Silicon Valley’s AI buildout is…

The attack on Qatar’s Ras…

Major disruptions in Qatar (15%…

Alex Kimani is a veteran finance writer, investor, engineer and researcher for Safehaven.com.

U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports hit a record 11.7 million metric tons in March 2026, mainly driven by global panic buying and supply disruptions triggered by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Missile and drone attacks on Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City in March damaged critical infrastructure, forcing major outages and positioning the U.S. as a vital swing producer. LNG facilities in Louisiana handled roughly 1.8 million more metric tons in March 2026 compared to March 2025, with Louisiana currently handling ~61% of all U.S. LNG shipments. Europe remained the top destination, accounting for approximately 7.49 million tons, or 64%, of total U.S. exports of super-chilled gas. A substantial premium for international gas prices over the U.S. Henry Hub price also incentivized increased export activities, with European TTF and Asian LNG benchmarks trading at a massive premium to U.S. Henry Hub prices, which hovered around $3 per MMBtu. While Henry Hub prices were relatively stable due to strong production, the high international prices (TTF, JKM) ensured maximum utilization of U.S. export terminals, which were running near capacity.

Louisiana Plaquemines LNG plant has been contributing significantly to U.S. LNG output growth as it continues to ramp up production. The Venture Global LNG facility received immediate authorization from the Department of Energy for a 13% increase in exports, adding up to 0.45 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day to meet surging global demand. Plaquemines LNG is designed with an initial, fully contracted capacity of 20 million metric tonnes per annum (mpta). However, the facility has shown it can exceed its original nameplate capacity by up to 40% thanks to the high performance of its modular design.

Related: Saudi Arabia Sets Record Premium for Flagship Crude as Hormuz Crisis Deepens

The project is undergoing expansion, with long-term plans to exceed 45–58 mpta total capacity through additional modular trains to bring the total to 36 trains. Plaquemines LNG is one of the largest private infrastructure projects in the U.S., with total project costs estimated at nearly $24 billion when completed.

Other than the Plaquemines LNG megaproject, Louisiana is also home to Delfin LNG, a proposed deepwater port project in Louisiana. Delfin LNG is slated to become the first U.S. floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) export facility. The project will support three FLNG vessels producing up to 13.2 mpta. Located ~30 miles off Cameron Parish in the southwest corner of Louisiana, Delfin LNG will repurpose the UTOS pipeline and connect it with the High Island Offshore Gas Pipeline (HIOS) to transport feedgas to the floating LNG vessels. By utilizing these existing offshore pipelines and constructing a new 700-foot bypass to connect them (the Delfin Offshore Pipeline), the project will minimize additional infrastructure investment, classifying it as a "brownfield" deepwater port project. A February 2026 pipeline explosion and associated regulatory hurdles have delayed the Final Investment Decision (FID), which is now anticipated in the spring of 2026. Delfin LNG is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Delfin Midstream Inc., a developer of FLNG vessels. The project is primarily backed by Fairwood Peninsula Energy Corp (approx. 30.7%), along with Talisman Global Alternative Master LP and Talisman Global Capital Master.

U.S. LNG exports are expected to rise by ~13% in 2026, driven by new capacity from Venture Global LNG's Plaquemines and Cheniere Energy's (NYSE:LNG) Corpus Christi Stage 3. Port Arthur LNG (Texas) and Rio Grande LNG are scheduled to begin operations between 2027-2028, with further projects expected to come online in 2030/2031.

The Permian Basin’s gas production is projected to rise, driven by increasing associated gas output, which will help meet surging demand from the U.S. Gulf Coast LNG export terminals. Permian natural gas production is expected to hit 28 Bcf/d in the current year, solidifying the basin’s role as the fastest-growing gas-producing play in the U.S. Permian wells are currently producing record amounts of associated residue natural gas at approximately 22 Bcf/d, which is expected to rise to ~28 Bcf/d in 2026, comprising roughly one-fifth of total U.S. production.

Overall, U.S. LNG export capacity is projected to more than double between 2024 and 2028, with exports expected to rise from 11.9 Bcf/d in 2024 to 21.5 Bcf/d by 2030, reinforcing the country’s position as the top global exporter. The rapid expansion requires significant new infrastructure to transport the feedgas. Thankfully, the startup of projects like the Matterhorn Express Pipeline is expected to mitigate takeaway capacity constraints, helping to stabilize Waha Hub prices.By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com

Related Posts

Exclusive-Vitol moves to open Mexico fuel terminal years after bribery scandal, document shows

Dollar steady near six-week peak amid Iran deal optimism

Elon Musk’s X loses Australia child protection compliance lawsuit