Energy Transfer’s Lake Charles LNG Project Wins Export Extension

The Department of Energy has extended Lake Charles LNG’s deadline to start exports, giving the Energy Transfer project more time to bring its 2.33 Bcf/d Louisiana facility online.

(P&GJ) — The U.S. Department of Energy has granted Energy Transfer’s Lake Charles LNG project additional time to begin exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to non-free trade agreement countries.

The order, signed by Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, amends the project’s authorization and allows more time for Lake Charles LNG to reach export operations. Once complete, the Louisiana facility will have capacity to ship up to 2.33 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas as LNG.

“On the heels of President Trump’s historic trade negotiations, demand for secure, reliable American LNG is surging,” Wright said. “The Department of Energy is ensuring companies like Lake Charles LNG are prepared meet this global demand while advancing commonsense policies that support American jobs and lower energy costs here at home.”

Tala Goudarzi, principal deputy assistant secretary for the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management, said the extension reflects the administration’s broader priorities. “Granting this commencement extension furthers the Trump Administration’s priority of unleashing American Energy, a radical shift from the last administration, whose actions undermined the progress of Lake Charles LNG for years,” she said.

Originally developed as an LNG import terminal, Lake Charles LNG is being converted into an export facility. The project recently secured long-term offtake agreements with Chevron and Kyushu Electric Power Company.

The U.S. is currently the world’s top LNG exporter, with eight large-scale projects in operation and several more in development. DOE said approvals under the current administration cover more than 13.8 Bcf/d of LNG export capacity, exceeding volumes shipped by the world’s second-largest exporter.