The U.S. Department of Energy approved an export authorization for the Venture Global CP2 LNG project in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, on March 19, 2025. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright signed the order, allowing the facility to export liquefied natural gas to countries that do not have free trade agreements with the United States. The Department stated it expects to issue a final order in the coming months.
What it means
The authorization permits CP2 to operate at a maximum export capacity of 3.96 billion cubic feet per day once constructed, according to the Department. The DOE determined that these exports are likely to yield economic benefits, diversify global energy supplies, and improve energy security through 2050. This decision marks the fifth LNG-related approval issued by the Department since President Trump took office.
Previous actions included an export approval for Commonwealth LNG on February 14, an order on rehearing for LNG bunkering fuel on February 28, a time extension for Golden Pass LNG on March 5, and a time extension for Delfin LNG on March 10. CP2 is the third LNG export project developed by Venture Global; the company’s Calcasieu Pass project came online in March 2022, and its Plaquemines LNG project began exports in late 2024. The Department noted that approximately 8.5 Bcf/d of pipeline additions for delivery to LNG terminals were recently completed in Texas and Louisiana.
Secretary Wright said the benefits of expanding U.S. LNG exports have never been more clear and expressed pride in taking action to support the American people and allies with affordable, reliable, secure energy. Tala Goudarzi, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management, stated that CP2 had been waiting too long for regulatory action at the DOE and welcomed the correction.
Key facts
- 3.96 Bcf/d: Maximum export capacity of the CP2 project once constructed.
- Cameron Parish, Louisiana: Location of the proposed CP2 facility.
- Non-FTA countries: The authorization allows exports to nations without free trade agreements with the U.S.
- Through 2050: The end of the export term referenced in DOE findings regarding economic benefits and energy security.
- Fifth LNG-related approval: This is the fifth such action by the DOE since President Trump took office.
- Third Venture Global project: CP2 follows Calcasieu Pass (online March 2022) and Plaquemines LNG (exports began late 2024).
- 8.5 Bcf/d: Amount of pipeline additions recently completed in Texas and Louisiana for delivery to LNG terminals.
Source: U.S. Department of Energy news release