The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has granted Lake Charles LNG Export Company, LLC additional time to begin exporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) to countries without free trade agreements with the United States. The amendment order was signed by Secretary of Energy Chris Wright and applies to the company’s project in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Once completed, the facility will have the capacity to export up to 2.33 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas as LNG.
“On the heels of President Trump’s historic trade negotiations, demand for secure, reliable American LNG is surging,” said Secretary Wright. “The Department of Energy is ensuring companies like Lake Charles LNG are prepared meet this global demand while advancing commonsense policies that support American jobs and lower energy costs here at home.”
Tala Goudarzi, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management, commented on the extension: “Granting this commencement extension furthers the Trump Administration’s priority of unleashing American Energy, a radical shift from the last administration, whose actions undermined the progress of Lake Charles LNG for years.”
Lake Charles LNG was initially designed as an import terminal but has shifted its focus toward exports. The company recently entered into several long-term off-take contracts with partners such as Chevron and Kyushu Electric Power Company.
The United States leads globally in both production and exportation of natural gas. Currently, eight major LNG projects operate across the country, with more projects under expansion or construction. Under President Trump’s administration, approvals have been given for projects capable of exporting over 13.8 billion cubic feet per day—exceeding exports from any nation except one.
