US liquefied natural gas exports hit a new record in the final days of 2025, driven by new production capacity coming online and existing terminals operating at full tilt. This pushed annual American shipments to record levels previously thought to be years away.
Preliminary data from the London LNG Exchange shows the United States exported 111 million metric tons of LNG in 2025, becoming the first country to surpass the 100 million metric ton threshold in a single year.
This puts US exports roughly 20 million tons ahead of Qatar’s LNG exports. It also surpasses 2024 exports by about 23 million metric tons, solidifying the United States’ position as the world’s largest supplier of liquefied natural gas.
Expansion of Production Capacity
This growth was driven by two new projects entering operation, along with a rapid ramp-up in output from recently commissioned facilities. Data indicates that the Blackomines project shipped 16.4 million tons of LNG in 2025 after beginning exports late last year. US export terminals operated at full capacity for most of the year, with December exports reaching a record 11.5 million tons.
European nations remained the primary destination for US LNG exports, as EU countries work to replace Russian gas and meet growing winter demand.
Turkey also significantly increased its purchases of US LNG at year’s end, with its December purchases alone exceeding total Asian market purchases for the month. Asian purchases amounted to 1.23 million tons during the month, while Egypt remained a major buyer amid domestic supply shortages.
World’s Largest Gas Exporter
US LNG production has undergone a dramatic transformation over roughly a decade. The country has become a major supplier for a quarter of global gas trade, thanks to a flexible export approach and access to abundant shale gas, making the US more attractive to buyers.
More capacity is scheduled to come online in 2026. The Blackomines project is targeting full production, while several smaller projects are still expanding. The first production line at the Golden Pass LNG facility is expected to begin operations later this year.
United States
The United States is a federal republic founded in 1776 after declaring independence from Great Britain, with its modern government established by the Constitution in 1787. Its history is marked by westward expansion, industrialization, and its emergence as a global superpower in the 20th century. The nation is defined by its diverse cultural heritage, shaped by immigration and the blending of numerous traditions.
London LNG Exchange
The London LNG Exchange is a trading platform for liquefied natural gas (LNG) contracts, established to provide price transparency and risk management in the global LNG market. It was launched in 2020 by the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) in partnership with several major energy companies, reflecting the commodity’s growing importance and the need for a standardized financial hub in Europe.
Qatar
Qatar is a sovereign country on the Arabian Peninsula, historically shaped by its Bedouin heritage and centuries of pearl diving. Its modern history was transformed by the discovery of oil and natural gas in the mid-20th century, leading to rapid economic development and its emergence as a major global player. The nation is known for cultural sites like the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha and the archaeological site of Al Zubarah, a UNESCO-listed former pearling and trading port.
Blackomines project
The Blackomines project is a contemporary cultural initiative focused on the revitalization of former mining sites in the Black Country region of England. It aims to transform these industrial heritage landscapes into spaces for community engagement, artistic expression, and ecological recovery, reflecting the area’s history as a cradle of the Industrial Revolution.
European Union
The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of 27 European countries, founded after World War II to foster economic cooperation and prevent future conflict. It has evolved from the European Coal and Steel Community in 1951 into a major supranational entity with its own currency, the euro, and institutions governing a single market.
Turkey
Turkey is a transcontinental nation bridging Europe and Asia, with a rich history rooted in the ancient civilizations of Anatolia and later as the heart of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. Its modern identity was forged in 1923 as the Republic of Turkey under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. The country is renowned for its diverse cultural heritage, featuring iconic sites like Hagia Sophia, the ruins of Ephesus, and the unique landscapes of Cappadocia.
Asia
Asia is the world’s largest and most populous continent, home to ancient civilizations like those in Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley, and China. Its history spans millennia, featuring the rise and fall of vast empires, the spread of major world religions, and profound cultural and scientific advancements. Today, it encompasses a diverse array of modern nations, each with its own unique heritage and traditions.
Egypt
Egypt is home to one of the world’s oldest civilizations, with a recorded history spanning over 5,000 years and iconic monuments like the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx dating to the Old Kingdom period. Its rich cultural heritage, deeply influenced by the Pharaonic, Greco-Roman, Coptic Christian, and Islamic eras, continues to be central to its national identity.
Golden Pass LNG facility
The Golden Pass LNG facility is a liquefied natural gas terminal located in Sabine Pass, Texas, originally built as an import facility in the 2010s. Its history shifted with the U.S. shale boom, and it is now being expanded into a major export terminal through a joint venture, with operations expected to begin in the mid-2020s.
