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 with the United States. The decision was formalized by Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, who signed an amendment order extending the deadline for the project located in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
Once completed, the Lake Charles LNG facility will have a 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.”
Originally designed as an import terminal, Lake Charles LNG is now being redeveloped into an export terminal. The company has recently entered into several long-term contracts for its output with firms such as Chevron and Kyushu Electric Power Company.
Currently, there are eight large-scale LNG projects operating in the United States with more under development or construction. The country leads globally in both production and exports of natural gas. Under President Trump’s administration, applications have been approved allowing projects to export over 13.8 billion cubic feet per day—surpassing volumes exported by other major exporters.
