Global LNG Set to Expand Another 10% in 2026 Thx to U.S. & Qatar
Global LNG markets are entering a transitional phase in 2026, characterized by a projected 10% supply surge as major U.S. and Qatari projects come online. This influx ends post-Ukraine war tightness of supply in the LNG market and will likely depress global prices to under $10 per mmBtu. Lower prices are expected to stimulate demand recovery in price-sensitive markets like China and India, while Europe increases imports to phase out Russian gas and replenish inventories. Although supply abundance benefits consumers, narrowing price spreads will likely squeeze U.S. export margins. Consequently, the industry is shifting toward ample availability and reshuffled trade flows through 2029. Read More “Global LNG Set to Expand Another 10% in 2026 Thx to U.S. & Qatar”
Natural gas markets have experienced plenty of changes over the past few years. Some of those changes include rising associated gas production in the Permian, new pipeline and storage capacity, new LNG demand, and gyrations in prices. However, an RBN Energy blog article argues that all this was merely a prelude. RBN says the “main event” — a veritable transformation of gas markets, especially along the Gulf Coast — is about to begin. Buckle up! What’s coming? A doubling of LNG demand (to 32 Bcf/d!). Another 10 Bcf/d of new pipelines out of West Texas, plus at least 15 Bcf/d more along the coast. Production revivals in various shale plays. And don’t forget soaring demand for gas-fired power generation. 
In 2025, the United States became the first nation to exceed 100 million metric tons (mmt) of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports annually, reaching a record 111 mmt. This 24% year-on-year growth, fueled by high terminal utilization and the rapid ramp-up of facilities like Venture Global’s Plaquemines plant, solidified the U.S. as the world’s leading exporter over Qatar. Europe remains the primary market as it shifts away from Russian energy, while shipments to Turkey and Egypt also stayed strong. Experts anticipate further growth in 2026 as new projects, including the Golden Pass LNG venture, begin production. 
This is sad and unexpected. Five weeks ago, MDN reported that Energy Transfer was holding off on a final investment decision (FID) for its Lake Charles LNG export project until 80% of the project had been sold to equity partners (see 
U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright yesterday signed an amendment order granting an additional 44 months for Woodside Energy to commence LNG exports to non-FTA countries from the Woodside Louisiana LNG Project under construction in Calcasieu Parish, LA. The project was formerly called Driftwood. Once fully constructed, the project will be capable of exporting up to 3.88 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of natural gas as LNG. 
The European Union is simplifying compliance with its methane emissions law for oil and gas imports, a decision expected to aid U.S. exporters following pressure from the Trump administration. Recognizing that the commingled nature of U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) makes tracing difficult, the European Commission proposed two streamlined reporting options: utilizing third-party verification certificates or a digital “trace and claim” system. While the core regulation remains intact with stricter standards scheduled for 2027, these adjustments aim to prevent supply disruptions by offering more flexible monitoring solutions for the fragmented U.S. energy industry. To which we say, tell Europe to bugger off. 
A month ago, MDN reported that Energy Transfer was holding off on a final investment decision (FID) for its Lake Charles LNG export project until 80% of the project had been sold to equity partners (see 
Representatives from Chesapeake Utilities and BHE GT&S, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Energy, presented a proposal to the Port Canaveral Authority to construct a new liquid natural gas (LNG) liquefaction facility in Brevard County. The project, targeting a 2029 completion date, aims to supply essential fuel for both cruise ships and the burgeoning space industry’s rockets. While LNG is currently trucked in to support rocket launches, this facility would provide dedicated local infrastructure to meet the growing demands of the world’s busiest cruise port and the active space sector. 
A commentator writing for Reuters warns that soaring U.S. natural gas prices and falling global values are squeezing profit margins for American LNG exporters, threatening future exports. The narrowing price gap between U.S. and European markets, driven by high domestic demand and global oversupply, has reached its lowest point since 2021. The prognosticator postulates that while immediate production cuts are unlikely, a surge in new global capacity by 2027 could force reductions in U.S. LNG exports. Furthermore, rising domestic prices pose a political challenge for President Trump, as his promise to lower consumer energy costs conflicts with market tightening driven by increased LNG exports and energy-intensive data centers. 
This story has nothing to do with the Marcellus/Utica (apologies in advance), other than the companies involved have operations in or purchase molecules from the M-U region. We decided to launch an occasional “Bizarre Files” to call attention to energy news that is, well, bizarre. How about this: France-based TotalEnergies, along with Netherlands-based TES and several Japanese utility companies, are collaborating to produce what is called electric natural gas (e-NG), also known as e-methane, in Nebraska. The e-NG will be exported to Japan. Here’s where it gets interesting, and bizarre… 
UGI, a diversified energy company with midstream (pipeline) operations and one of PA’s largest utility companies, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its newest LNG peak shaver facility in Carlisle (Cumberland County), PA, yesterday. In November 2020, UGI launched the operation of a new 2-million-gallon LNG peak shaver in Bethlehem, PA (see 
This is really rich. Venture Global (VG), now the second-largest LNG (liquefied natural gas) exporter in the U.S., is accusing Shell of waging a “three-year campaign” to damage VG’s LNG business. VG’s Calcasieu Pass (CP) LNG export facility in Louisiana began operations in March 2022. Typically, a new LNG facility will load and ship several (maybe two or three) cargoes to “work out the kinks” and ensure everything is working as advertised. VG, using loopholes in its signed contracts, maintained that it was working out the kinks long after it began shipping. After *hundreds of cargoes* were shipped, CP’s customers were still not receiving their contracted (at lower prices) shipments. Shell, along with several other customers, sued (see 
Yesterday, LNG exporter Venture Global announced that Tokyo Gas has signed a 20-year contract to purchase 1 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of LNG from VG. Not many details were shared. We don’t know which facility (current or planned) the gas will come from. Financial terms were not disclosed. What we do know is that contracted shipments will begin sometime in 2030. As with all of these deals, our interest is in whether more Marcellus/Utica molecules will feed the plant doing the liquefying. It’s a good bet they will.