On Wednesday, U.S. federal regulators granted Venture Global LNG permission to increase the export capacity at its Plaquemines LNG plant in Louisiana. The plant’s capacity will rise from 24 million metric tons per year to 27.2 million metric tons, a 13% increase in production. This move solidifies the U.S.’s position as the world’s largest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG), further bolstering the country’s energy sector.
The approval comes after Venture Global LNG went public in January, quickly becoming one of the most valuable U.S. LNG companies. The company’s Plaquemines LNG project is expected to have an extended commissioning period, lasting nearly three years, during which Venture Global plans to maximize profits by selling excess LNG on the spot market at higher prices than those available under long-term contracts.
While the capacity increase will boost production and exports, environmental concerns were raised, particularly regarding the impact on greenhouse gas emissions. Regulators acknowledged that the expansion would contribute to climate change but concluded that the environmental impact remains acceptable and consistent with the public interest.
This expansion is in line with U.S. President Donald Trump’s energy agenda, which includes growing U.S. energy production and LNG exports. The Plaquemines facility is expected to begin shipping LNG to long-term customers by 2026 and 2027, marking a significant milestone for Venture Global and the U.S. LNG industry.
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