The U.S. is holding onto and adding to its position as the world’s top exporter of liquified natural gas (LNG), but other countries are jumping in to create more of their own energy independence.
Developer Kosmos Energy and operator bp plc announced that the first gas production has been achieved at the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) LNG project offshore of Mauritania and Senegal. Natural gas from the first phase of GTA started to flow from wells to the floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel ahead of delivery to the floating LNG vessel for liquefaction.
Once fully commissioned, GTA Phase 1 is expected to produce around 2.3 million metric tons of LNG per annum (mtpa) with the floating LNG vessel nameplate capacity of approximately 2.7 mtpa.
First gas is a key milestone for the partnership and the governments of Mauritania and Senegal and an important step for the countries to become a strategic LNG production hub in West Africa. First LNG production is expected to follow shortly with the first LNG cargo expected in the first quarter of 2025, which is when revenue will be recognized from the project.
Meanwhile, back in the U.S. the LNG developer Cheniere Energy is celebrating production from the first train of the company’s Corpus Christi Stage 3 Liquefaction Project along the Texas Gulf Coast. Natural gas is liquefied by chilling it below minus 260 degrees Fahrenheit, making it more compressed and stable for shipping.
The commissioning process continues, and Cheniere expects substantial completion of Train 1 to be achieved at the end of the first quarter of 2025, over six months ahead of the guaranteed completion date. Upon substantial completion, Bechtel Energy, Inc. (“Bechtel”) will transfer care, custody and control of the completed train to Cheniere.
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Cheniere’s work is only one of numerous LNG liquefaction and export terminal projects along the Gulf of Mexico coastline with the U.S. In September 2024, Lake Charles LNG announced it has selected the KTJV joint venture of Technip Energies and EPC and operations firm KBR. The KTJV joint venture will oversee work to convert Lake Charles LNG’s current import and regasification terminals into an LNG export terminal along the Louisiana coastline.
The U.S. ranks first in LNG exporting globally, according to the federal Energy Information Administration. Daily LNG exports averaged 11.9 billion cubic feet per day, which was 12% higher than in 2022, according to the EIA.
Europe is the top destination for U.S. LNG experts, with more than two-thirds going to nations on that continent. Much of northern Europe is transitioning away from Russian natural gas after that nation invaded Ukraine two years ago.
Cheniere Energy’s Sabine Pass LNG terminal is the largest liquefaction plant in the world, according to Statista. Qatar also is a massive global leader in LNG production.
Some global geopolitical factors, however, may limit growth of LNG demand in the near future. For instance, usually reliable LNG customers Japan and South Korea are beginning to slash LNG purchase and focusing on rebuilding nuclear, wind and solar energy development, according to the Institute for Energy Economics and Analysis report.
