US LNG Export Capacity Expansion: 2026 Map and Domestic Price Impact
The U.S. natural gas market is no longer isolated. As of 2026, over 16.4 Billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) export capacity is operational, meaning nearly a quarter of all U.S. dry gas production is being supercooled and shipped to Europe and Asia. For large domestic commercial and industrial buyers, this structural shift means domestic Henry Hub benchmark pricing is now inexorably linked to global macroeconomic shocks. A cold winter in Berlin or supply disruptions in the Middle East will directly cause your manufacturing facility in Ohio to face winter gas rate spikes.
The "Suck" to the Gulf Coast
- →Pipeline Reversals: Pipelines that historically moved gas from the Gulf Coast to the Northeast and Midwest are increasingly flowing south to feed the massive LNG terminals in Texas and Louisiana.
- →Regional Deficits: With gas moving to the export terminals, regions like the Mid-Atlantic, New England, and California face tighter supply allocations, increasing locational basis premiums (citygate prices) during local cold snaps.
- →The 2026 Additions: Plaquemines Phase 2 and Golden Pass LNG scale up operations this year, adding significant new demand pull off the domestic grid.
Tracking U.S. LNG Export Terminals in 2026
The Gulf Coast is the epicenter of the global LNG trade. Understanding where these facilities are and the pipelines that feed them is crucial for anticipating regional constraints.
Active Major US LNG Terminals (2026 Operational Status)
- Sabine Pass (Cheniere) - Louisiana~4.5 Bcf/d
- Corpus Christi (Cheniere) - Texas~2.5 Bcf/d
- Freeport LNG - Texas~2.1 Bcf/d
- Cameron LNG (Sempra) - Louisiana~2.0 Bcf/d
- Cove Point LNG (BHE) - Maryland~0.8 Bcf/d
- Plaquemines LNG (Venture Global) - LouisianaPhase 1 & 2 fully online (2025/2026)
- Golden Pass LNG (ExxonMobil/Qatar) - TexasTrains 1 & 2 ramping in 2026
Strategic Recommendations for C&I Buyers
Relying on month-to-month index pricing (riding the spot market) is increasingly dangerous in the LNG era. When an Asian buyer is willing to pay $12/MMBtu, domestic producers are financially incentivized to move molecules to the export docks.
- Lock in Winter Hedges Early: Do not wait until October to fix winter basis. Secure Winter 2026 and Winter 2027 blocks now during "shoulder months" (spring/fall).
- Layered Purchasing: Given the volatility, buy gas in tranches (e.g., 25% of load per quarter) rather than trying to time the absolute bottom of the market.
- Basis vs. NYMEX: Even if NYMEX Henry Hub is stable, your local basis (the cost to move gas to your specific utility zone) may spike due to pipeline congestion. Fix basis early in regions like New England (Algonquin) and California (PG&E Citygate).
Source: FERC LNG Export Reports, EIA Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO) 2026.
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