The U.S. Department of Energy has granted Energy Transfer’s Lake Charles LNG Export Company, LLC more time to begin exporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) to countries without free trade agreements from its Lake Charles facility in Louisiana. The amendment order was signed by Secretary of Energy Chris Wright.
Once the Lake Charles LNG project is completed, it 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, added: “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.”
The facility was initially designed as an import terminal but is now being developed for exports. The company has recently secured several long-term contracts with buyers such as Chevron and Kyushu Electric Power Company.
The United States currently leads the world in both production and exportation of natural gas. There are eight major LNG projects operating domestically, with more facilities expanding or under construction. The Department has approved applications for projects that would allow over 13.8 billion cubic feet per day in LNG exports—surpassing exports from any country except one globally.
