LNG producer Venture Global has commenced commercial operations at Phase 1 of its Plaquemines LNG export facility in Louisiana, United States (Venture Global press release, 02/11/2026). “The commercial operations date (COD) for Phase 1 of Plaquemines LNG was reached in just over 53 months from the final investment decision on the project, making it among the fastest greenfield LNG projects ever completed”, the company stated.
This development does not signal the beginning of production, as the terminal had already started producing and exporting LNG in late 2024. Instead, it triggers the entry into force of long-term purchase agreements, known as SPAs (sale and purchase agreements). The announcement comes amid global spot prices reaching their highest levels since the winter of the European gas crisis. Energy major Shell became the first customer to receive LNG from the developer under a long-term sales agreement, signed in March 2022 for 2 Mt/year over a 20-year period (KEI, 09/03/2022).
Plaquemines LNG initially started production with a nameplate capacity of 20 Mt/year and a peak capacity of nearly 28 Mt/year. A further 30 Mt/year peak capacity expansion is planned, with development structured across three phases and involving the addition of a total of 32 modular liquefaction trains. Once all phases are completed, the facility is expected to reach a total peak production capacity exceeding 58 Mt/year.
Venture Global currently has more than 100 Mt/year of US LNG capacity in operation, under construction or in development. Its first three projects (Calcasieu Pass, Plaquemines LNG and CP2 LNG) are all located in Louisiana, United States. The company commenced LNG production in 2022.