Despite rising costs and ongoing trade tensions, several major LNG projects in Louisiana are moving forward—positioning the state at the center of a nationwide export surge.
As Reuters reports, Woodside Energy recently gave final approval for its Louisiana export terminal, marking the first U.S. LNG project to reach a final investment decision (FID) in two years. The project, which has seen a 31% cost increase due to inflation and supply chain disruptions, is moving ahead with only a small portion of long-term sales contracts in place.
Venture Global is also preparing to approve its CP2 LNG terminal in Louisiana. If built, the 28 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) facility would be the largest single LNG plant in the U.S. The company recently received a supplemental environmental review and has asked federal regulators to reaffirm approval by late June.
In Cameron Parish, Commonwealth LNG has secured a 20-year supply agreement with Glencore, a key step toward construction of its proposed 9.5 MTPA terminal. The company aims to begin building in 2025 and start production by 2029.
The Louisiana projects are advancing despite uncertainty tied to tariffs on steel and aluminum—materials critical to LNG facility construction. Those tariffs, first imposed under former President Trump, remain in place and could raise project costs further.
Nationally, the U.S. LNG sector is pushing ahead with over 90 million tonnes of new capacity planned for approval this year. Industry leaders like Cheniere Energy and Sempra are weighing investment decisions as global demand and energy policy continue to shift.
