US LNG exports averaged 17.4 bcfd in the first 6 months of 2026, up 23% from the same period in 2025, as new terminals and expansions increased export capacity, the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) said, citing its Natural Gas Monthly report.

In its latest Short-Term Energy Outlook, EIA estimates US LNG exports will average 17.3 bcfd in second-half 2026 before rising to 18.7 bcfd in first-half 2027.

Export capacity additions from startup production at new terminals and expansions at existing terminals boosted LNG exports at the fastest rate since the US began large-scale exports in 2016.

Plaquemines LNG is exporting at full capacity, while Corpus Christi Stage 3 is exporting from six of seven liquefaction trains. When complete, the two projects will increase nominal US LNG export capacity by a combined 4.0 bcfd.

Golden Pass LNG began exports in April 2026 and is expected to increase exports from Train 1 through yearend, adding another 0.7 bcfd of nominal export capacity. The terminal exported less than 0.2 bcfd during April-June. Golden Pass LNG Train 2 is expected to be completed in late 2026.

Global LNG prices remained sufficiently high throughout first-half 2026 to incentivize US exports near maximum output levels. Disruptions to LNG shipments through the Strait of Hormuz in March cut off 20% of global LNG supplies, mostly from Qatar, pushing global LNG prices higher and forcing Asian buyers—who take about 80% of Qatari LNG supplies—to compete for limited spot cargoes.

The average price at Europe's benchmark Title Transfer Facility (TTF) in the Netherlands was $14.74/MMbtu in first-half 2026, up from $13.10/MMbtu in first-half 2025 and the highest since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, when prices rose to $32.42/MMbtu in the first half of that year.

The Japan-Korea Marker (JKM), the benchmark price for LNG imports into East Asia, averaged $15.56/MMbtu, a 4-year high and up $2.38/MMbtu from first-half 2025. Prices were last higher in 2022, at $29.00/MMbtu, according to Bloomberg data. Hot weather supported higher spot LNG demand in the region.

Market disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz contributed to a doubling of US LNG shipments to Asia in first-half 2026 compared with last year. US exports to Asia increased 2.3 bcfd, or 108%, from first-half 2025, while exports to Europe increased 0.1 bcfd, or 1%.

Exports to Latin America and the Caribbean and the Middle East and North Africa rose 0.8 bcfd, or 46%, from first-half 2025.

Top destination countries included Egypt and the Netherlands at 1.7 bcfd each, followed by Italy at 1.4 bcfd, France at 1.2 bcfd, and the UK at 1.1 bcfd.