US LNG Exporters Race to Tie Up Financing as Surplus Looms

Core Insights - The US is experiencing a natural gas export boom, becoming the world's top exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG) [2] - There is a looming deadline for LNG projects, as global supply is expected to exceed demand by 2027, with competition from Qatar and potential increases in Russian gas exports to China [2] Project Developments - Four US LNG projects with a combined capacity of 63 million tons per year are awaiting final investment decisions [3] - The $35 billion Golden Pass LNG project in Texas is delayed to 2025 due to labor shortages and contractor bankruptcy [3] Key Projects Under Construction - Louisiana LNG: A $17.5 billion project by Woodside Energy, expected to be operational by 2029 [5] - Corpus Christi LNG Expansion: Cheniere Energy's $2.9 billion expansion will increase capacity to 30 million tons per year by the end of the decade [6] - CP2 LNG: Venture Global's $15.1 billion project in Louisiana is set to start in 2027, following a permitting pause [7] Projects Awaiting Final Decisions - Rio Grande LNG Expansion: NextDecade Corp. is seeking funding for an expansion that would add 12 million tons of capacity per year [8] - Port Arthur LNG Expansion: Sempra is looking to double capacity but has not provided a timeline for the final investment decision [11] - Commonwealth LNG: Aiming for a final investment decision in Q3 for its project near Cameron, Louisiana [12] - Lake Charles LNG: Energy Transfer plans to make a final investment decision by Q4 but has not fully contracted its capacity [13]