According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) in its February Short-Term Energy Outlook, US LNG exports surged from 0.5 bcf/d (~5.5 bcm/year) in 2016 to 15 bcf/d (164 bcm/year) in 2025, and the EIA forecasts those LNG exports to exceed 18.1 bcf/d (198 bcm/year) in 2027 (EIA report, 24/02/2026).
“LNG exports from the United States increased for several reasons, including abundant natural gas supply and reserves, flexible LNG export contracts, and relatively low feedgas costs. In addition, increasing international demand and a favorable investment climate have supported LNG infrastructure expansions in the United States” according to the statement.
The United States has 8 operational LNG export terminals, and by 2031 the EIA expects export capacity to nearly double compared with December 2025.
Before the start of the war in Ukraine in 2022, "Asia received the most volumes of US LNG exports, averaging 46% from 2017 through 2021. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, exports to Europe increased, and in 2022, Europe received 69% of all LNG exports from the United States, up from 34% in 2021. From January through November 2025, Europe received 68% of US-origin volumes."
The United States is the world’s largest LNG exporter, ahead of both Australia and Qatar.