The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported that Cheniere Energy’s Corpus Christi Stage 3 liquefied natural gas export facility in San Patricio County, Texas, produced its first LNG cargo in February 2025. The expansion of the existing Corpus Christi LNG terminal began producing LNG in December 2024, as did Plaquemines LNG Phase 1.
What it means
Cheniere Energy indicated that the first three of the seven midscale trains at Corpus Christi Stage 3 are expected to start up in 2025, with the remaining four trains scheduled for start-up in 2026. Once all seven trains are operating, the combined nominal capacity of the facility will reach 3.1 Bcf/d, with a peak capacity of 3.9 Bcf/d.
According to the EIA, this expansion will make Corpus Christi LNG the second-largest LNG facility in the United States by capacity. The largest U.S. LNG facility remains Sabine Pass LNG, which has a nominal capacity of 3.6 Bcf/d and a peak capacity of 4.6 Bcf/d. The Stage 3 addition contributes 1.3 Bcf/d of combined nominal capacity and 1.5 Bcf/d of peak capacity through its seven midscale trains.
Key facts
- First LNG cargo produced: February 2025
- LNG production started: December 2024
- Location: San Patricio County, Texas
- Developer: Cheniere Energy
- Stage 3 configuration: Seven midscale trains
- Stage 3 nominal capacity: 1.3 Bcf/d
- Stage 3 peak capacity: 1.5 Bcf/d
- Total Corpus Christi LNG nominal capacity (all trains): 3.1 Bcf/d
- Total Corpus Christi LNG peak capacity (all trains): 3.9 Bcf/d
- Sabine Pass LNG nominal capacity: 3.6 Bcf/d
- Sabine Pass LNG peak capacity: 4.6 Bcf/d
- Train start-up schedule: Three in 2025, four in 2026
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration report