What was once seen as a bold industrial gamble has now transformed into a powerful milestone: the United States has surpassed 100 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exported in just one year. This achievement is symbolic and significant for global energy trade. For perspective, 100 million tonnes is equivalent to around 150 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas when returned to its gaseous form, a volume larger than the European Union’s entire annual gas consumption. In under a decade, the US has emerged from virtually no LNG exports to being the world’s top exporter.
Behind the Success: US Infrastructure and Efficiency
The key to this remarkable success lies in physical infrastructure rather than financial strategies. The United States has built sprawling liquefaction plants, massive storage tanks, and a fleet of giant tankers. These facilities are not only vast in scale but operate with a focus on speed and efficiency. Once a terminal is operational, it quickly ramps up to full capacity, with high utilization rates that often exceed those of competitors. The US has embraced a commercial approach based on flexibility, with most LNG sold on a “free on board” (FOB) basis, allowing cargoes to be rerouted in days to meet shifting global demands.
The Plaquemines Terminal: Changing the LNG Landscape
One name now synonymous with this era of US LNG dominance is Plaquemines, located in Louisiana and operated by Venture Global. Since loading its first cargo in December 2024, Plaquemines quickly became the second-largest LNG export facility in the country, shipping around 16.4 million tonnes in 2025. This rapid ramp-up is rare in heavy industry but reflects a clear strategy: build large, efficient infrastructure that can quickly reach peak capacity. Plaquemines’ success represents the new approach of scaling quickly to meet the growing global demand for LNG.
Europe and Asia: Shaping LNG Demand
As the US solidifies its position as the world’s top LNG exporter, Europe remains a primary destination, especially following the European Union’s move to reduce reliance on Russian gas. In December 2025, approximately 9 million tonnes of American LNG were shipped to Europe, with countries like Turkey also acting as hubs for LNG distribution. At the same time, Asia continues to be a major buyer, though its demand fluctuates with weather patterns and spot prices. The supply of LNG has become a balancing act between regions, with the US playing a central role in stabilizing global gas markets.
| Country | LNG imports (Mt/year) | Gas equivalent (bcm/year) | LNG share in gas supply |
| France | ~26 | ~36 | ~45% |
| Spain | ~23 | ~32 | ~60% |
| Italy | ~11 | ~15 | ~30% |
| Netherlands | ~13 | ~18 | ~40% |
| Belgium | ~11 | ~15 | ~50% |
| United Kingdom | ~18 | ~25 | ~35% |
| Portugal | ~7 | ~10 | ~85% |
| Poland | ~6 | ~8 | ~40% |
| Greece | ~5 | ~7 | ~45% |
