Plaquemines LNG: A Historic Milestone in U.S. Liquefied Natural Gas Production

Venture Global announces the start of production at its second terminal, Plaquemines LNG, in Louisiana. This project, one of the fastest to achieve this critical milestone, marks a major advancement for the U.S. and global energy markets.

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

Venture Global, a key player in the energy market, confirmed on December 15, 2024, the start of liquefied natural gas (LNG) production at its Plaquemines LNG terminal, located in Port Sulphur, Louisiana. This terminal, with a nameplate capacity of 20 million tons per year (MTPA), achieved this strategic milestone just 30 months after its Final Investment Decision (FID).

With this record-breaking speed, Plaquemines LNG joins Venture Global’s first terminal, Calcasieu Pass, as one of the two fastest greenfield projects to reach production. Once fully operational, Plaquemines LNG will rank among the largest LNG production facilities in the world.

An Innovation and Speed Model

Plaquemines LNG’s success is built on a unique technical configuration and an innovative construction approach. Unlike traditional projects, this facility is already producing and exporting LNG while construction and commissioning of the 36 trains and associated infrastructure continue. This strategy allows Venture Global to bring new capacity to a global market strained for LNG supply.

The project progressed in two phases, with FIDs in May 2022 for Phase 1 and March 2023 for Phase 2. This modular and phased operational management enables quicker responses to growing demand while reducing commissioning delays.

Economic and Geopolitical Impact

The Plaquemines LNG terminal is part of Venture Global’s broader investment strategy, with current and future projects representing a $50 billion commitment. These projects aim to bolster global energy security while supporting local economies and creating thousands of jobs across the United States.

At the same time, this increased capacity helps maintain the United States’ position as the world’s top LNG exporter. Amid tight markets and delays on other international projects, Plaquemines LNG is a strategic asset in providing reliable energy to U.S. allies.

The rapid development of this facility also reflects shifting geopolitical priorities. Energy supply has become a central issue, particularly in response to recent global LNG market imbalances and challenges posed by international crises.

Falling rig counts and surging natural gas demand are reshaping the Lower 48 energy landscape, fuelling a rebound in gas-focused mergers and acquisitions.
The Nigerian government has approved a payment of NGN185bn ($128 million) to settle debts owed to gas producers, aiming to secure electricity supply and attract new investments in the energy sector.
Riley Exploration Permian has finalised the sale of its Dovetail Midstream entity to Targa Northern Delaware for $111 million, with an additional conditional payment of up to $60 million. The deal also includes a future transfer of equipment for $10 million.
Stanwell has secured an exclusive agreement with Quinbrook for the development of the Gladstone SDA Energy Hub, combining gas turbines and long-duration battery storage to support Queensland’s electricity grid stability.
The growth of US liquefied natural gas exports could slow if rising domestic costs continue to squeeze margins, as new volumes hit an already saturated global market.
Turkmenistan is leveraging the Global Gas Centre to build commercial links in Europe and South Asia, as it responds to its current dependence on China and a shifting post-Russian gas market.
The Marmara Ereğlisi liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal operated by BOTAŞ is increasing its regasification capacity, consolidating Türkiye’s role as a regional player in gas redistribution toward the Balkans and Southeast Europe.
Budapest contests the European agreement to ban Russian natural gas imports by 2027, claiming the measure is incompatible with its economic interests and the European Union's founding treaties.
The European Union has enshrined in law a complete ban on Russian gas by 2027, forcing utilities, operators, traders and states to restructure contracts, physical flows and supply strategies under strict regulatory pressure.
The partial exploitation of associated gas from the Badila field by Perenco supplies electricity to Moundou, highlighting the logistical and financial challenges of gas development in Chad.
A new regulation requires gas companies to declare the origin, volume and duration of their contracts, as the EU prepares to end Russian imports.
Saudi Aramco has launched production at the unconventional Jafurah gas field, initiating an investment plan exceeding $100bn to substitute domestic crude and increase exportable flows under OPEC+ constraints.
By mobilising long-term contracts with BP and new infrastructure, PLN is driving Indonesia’s shift toward prioritising domestic LNG use, at the centre of a state-backed investment programme supported by international lenders.
TotalEnergies, TES and three Japanese companies will develop an industrial-scale e-gas facility in the United States, targeting 250 MW capacity and 75,000 tonnes of annual output by 2030.
Argentinian consortium Southern Energy will supply up to two million tonnes of LNG per year to Germany’s Sefe, marking the first South American alliance for the European importer.
The UK government has ended its financial support for TotalEnergies' liquefied natural gas project in Mozambique, citing increased risks and a lack of national interest in continuing its involvement.
Faced with a climate- and geopolitically-constrained winter, Beijing announces expected record demand for electricity and gas, placing coal, LNG and UHV grids at the centre of a national energy stress test.
The Iraqi government and Kurdish authorities have launched an investigation into the drone attack targeting the Khor Mor gas field, which halted production and caused widespread electricity outages.
PetroChina internalises three major gas storage sites through two joint ventures with PipeChina, representing 11 Gm³ of capacity, in a CNY40.02bn ($5.43bn) deal consolidating control over its domestic gas network.
The European Union is facilitating the use of force majeure to exit Russian gas contracts by 2028, a risky strategy for companies still bound by strict legal clauses.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.