Plaquemines LNG shipped its first liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo on December 26, 2024, becoming the eighth operational LNG export terminal in the United States. The facility, developed by Venture Global LNG, achieved first production in mid-December 2024, marking a construction timeline of 30 months from final investment decision to initial shipment. According to data reported by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), Plaquemines LNG and Corpus Christi Stage 3 were the only two U.S. LNG export terminals to begin production in 2024.
What it means
The start of exports at Plaquemines LNG adds capacity to the U.S. supply chain for liquefied natural gas. The facility utilizes mid-scale liquefaction technology, a method previously introduced in the U.S. by Venture Global’s Calcasieu Pass LNG project, which holds the record for the fastest construction timeline among all U.S. LNG export projects. This technology is characterized by a shorter project construction timeline.
Venture Global plans to bring Plaquemines LNG online in two phases. Phase 1, now operational, consists of nine blocks, each containing two liquefaction units known as trains, for a total of 18 trains. These 18 trains have a combined nominal capacity of 1.3 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) and a peak capacity of 1.6 Bcf/d. Venture Global plans to commission Phase 2 in September 2025. Upon completion of both phases, the total nominal capacity of Plaquemines LNG will reach 2.6 Bcf/d, with a peak capacity of 3.2 Bcf/d.
The EIA estimates that once both phases of Plaquemines LNG are completed and Corpus Christi LNG Stage 3 begins exports, total U.S. LNG nominal production capacity will reach 15.4 Bcf/d, with peak capacity at 18.7 Bcf/d. Further expansion is projected through 2028, driven by three projects currently under construction: Golden Pass LNG, Rio Grande LNG, and Port Arthur LNG. By 2028, the EIA estimates total U.S. nominal LNG export capacity will reach 21.2 Bcf/d, with peak capacity at 25.2 Bcf/d.
Key facts
- Plaquemines LNG shipped its first cargo on December 26, 2024.
- Venture Global LNG developed the facility using mid-scale liquefaction technology.
- Construction took 30 months from final investment decision to first shipment.
- Phase 1 includes 18 liquefaction trains with a nominal capacity of 1.3 Bcf/d and peak capacity of 1.6 Bcf/d.
- Total nominal capacity upon completion of both phases will be 2.6 Bcf/d; peak capacity will be 3.2 Bcf/d.
- Venture Global plans to commission Phase 2 in September 2025.
- EIA estimates total U.S. LNG nominal capacity will reach 15.4 Bcf/d once Plaquemines and Corpus Christi Stage 3 are fully operational.
- Total U.S. nominal LNG export capacity is estimated to reach 21.2 Bcf/d by 2028, including Golden Pass, Rio Grande, and Port Arthur projects.
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration article