By Curtis Williams
HOUSTON (Reuters) – U.S. demand for LNG plants hit a record on Tuesday, the last day of the year, rising to 15.2 billion cubic feet (bcf), in a sign of a good year ahead thanks to the start-up of two new gas processing plants. , according to preliminary data from the financial company LSEG.
U.S. natural gas demand for LNG plants is forecast to rise to 17.8 bcfd next year with the startup of Venture Global LNG's 20 million tonne per year (MTPA) Plaquemines plant in Louisiana and the Cheniere Energy's (NYSE:) Corpus Christi Stage 3 expansion in Texas.
Demand for natural gas from LNG exporting plants could spur greater production in the U.S. and boost prices at the country's main gas exchange in Louisiana, called Henry Hub, according to analysts. Gas prices rose 48 cents in midday trading Tuesday to $3.94 per million cubic feet (mcf), according to LSEG data.
The United States is the world's largest exporter of supercooled gas and a major supplier to Europe and Asia. LNG exports and feedgas demand also tend to be higher in colder months in the northern hemisphere, as this improves plant efficiency.
Tuesday marks the third time in two weeks that U.S. LNG feedgas demand has exceeded 15 bcfd, but the first time it reached 15.2 bcfd, according to LSEG data.
In December, Venture Global and Cheniere announced the first LNG from their expansion projects and Venture Global's Plaquemines plant made its first shipment to Germany.
U.S. LNG demand is expected to rise to 20.3 bcfd in 2026 as new plants boost output, and rise to 24.2 bcfd in 2028, according to U.S. EIA data. Gains will come following the start of Golden Pass LNG, a joint venture of QatarEnergy and Exxon Mobile (NYSE:) is being built off the Texas coast with first gas arriving in late 2025 or early 2026.
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