U.S. Becomes First Country To Ship Over 100 Million Tonnes Of LNG In A Single Year

The United States recorded its highest-ever liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports in 2025, becoming the first country to ship more than 100 million metric tonnes in a single year.

Preliminary data from LSEG showed that U.S. LNG exports reached about 111 million metric tonnes (mmt) during the year. This was nearly 20 mmt more than exports from Qatar, the world’s second-largest LNG exporter, and around 23 mmt higher than U.S. exports in 2024.

Overall, U.S. LNG shipments made up roughly a quarter of total global LNG exports last year.

The increase was supported by new facilities coming into operation and high utilisation rates at operating terminals. Venture Global’s Plaquemines LNG terminal, now the second-largest export plant in the U.S., shipped around 16.4 mmt in 2025 after sending its first cargo in December 2024, according to LSEG data.

Industry analysts said the growth reflected strong output across existing plants and the fast ramp-up of new projects. Rapidan Energy Group indicated that the year-on-year growth of about 24 per cent was mainly due to high utilisation levels and rapid production increases at new facilities.

The U.S. also set several monthly export records during the year. LSEG data showed that exports reached a record 11.5 mmt in December, the highest monthly volume ever shipped by the country. In total, the U.S. recorded five separate monthly production records in 2025.

Market observers highlighted how quickly the U.S. LNG sector has expanded, noting that the country moved from having no LNG exports to shipping more than 100 mmt in just nine years.

Analysts linked this growth to the U.S. export model, which includes free-on-board sales, flexible contracts and reliable domestic gas supply.

Europe remained the main destination for U.S. LNG cargoes. Ship-tracking data from LSEG showed that around 9 mmt of LNG was delivered to Europe in December as winter demand increased and the region continued to reduce its use of Russian gas.

Turkey increased its purchases of U.S. LNG during the month, importing about 1.45 mmt. Asian buyers received around 1.23 mmt in December, down from about 1.75 mmt in November.

Egypt continued to import large volumes amid domestic gas shortages, buying around 0.78 mmt, while countries in the Americas region took approximately 0.42 mmt.

Further growth is expected as more U.S. LNG capacity comes online. Plaquemines LNG is aiming to reach full production, while several smaller modular LNG projects operated by Cheniere are expected to be either fully operational or still ramping up.

Additionally, the first production train at Golden Pass LNG, a joint venture between Exxon Mobil and QatarEnergy, is scheduled to start operations in the first quarter of 2026.

References: bnnbloomberg, oilprice

Source: Maritime Shipping News