Cheniere advances 6 Mt/year expansion at Sabine Pass LNG terminal (US)

US LNG developer Cheniere Energy has entered into an agreement with Bechtel covering the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) works for a 6 Mt/year expansion of its 30 Mt/year Sabine Pass LNG export terminal located in Louisiana, United States (Cheniere press release, 28/05/2026).

The contract relates to the first phase of a broader 20 Mt/year expansion program planned for the Sabine Pass facility. This initial phase, which is expected to reach a final investment decision (FID) in early 2027, includes the addition of a new 6 Mt/year liquefaction train (Train 7) as well as 1 Mt/year of boil-off gas reliquefaction capacity, according to the company’s statement.

The company is still awaiting regulatory approval for key permits associated with the Sabine Pass expansion. It anticipates receiving authorization from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to build and operate the project before the end of 2026. The company also maintains a pending application with the Department of Energy (DOE) seeking authorization to export LNG to countries that do not have free trade agreements with the United States.

Based on the current development schedule, exports from the new train could start as early as 2030, while commercial deliveries to Cheniere’s long-term customers are expected to commence in mid-2031 (Argus, 28/05/2026).

The Sabine Pass LNG terminal currently operates natural gas liquefaction facilities with a total production capacity exceeding 30 Mt/year of LNG. Cheniere ranks among the largest LNG exporters in the United States. Across its Sabine Pass LNG and Corpus Christi LNG terminals, the company had approximately 52 Mt/year of liquefaction capacity in operation as of April 2026, more than 9 Mt/year under construction, and over 40 Mt/year undergoing regulatory permitting procedures.