First LNG produced at Cheniere Stage 3

Cheniere Energy, the largest US liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter, has announced the first LNG production at the Corpus Christi Stage 3 liquefaction project. This milestone, reached ahead of schedule, underscores the growing capacity of US LNG exports and their critical role in enhancing energy security, particularly for Europe.

The Corpus Christi Stage 3 project includes seven midscale liquefaction trains, expected to deliver a combined production capacity exceeding 10M tonnes per annum (mta).

Once fully operational, the site’s total capacity will exceed 25 mta, reinforcing the US Gulf Coast as a key hub for LNG exports.

The first LNG was produced from Train 1 of the project, with completion anticipated by the end of Q1 2025.

The project’s progress also highlights the effective partnership between Cheniere and Bechtel Energy, which commenced full-scale construction in June 2022.

The news from Cheniere comes shortly after fellow Gulf LNG exporter Venture Global revealed its 2024-built LNG carrier, Venture Bayou, had loaded at its Plaquemines LNG facility in Louisiana and left for Germany, carrying the first LNG cargo produced at the facility. As at 7 January 2025, the vessel is about to enter the English Channel, according to the vessel tracking facility of VesselsValue.

These US developments comes at a pivotal moment as Europe seeks stable LNG supplies to diversify away from pipeline gas imports and follows the long announced ending of Russian gas being allowed to use pipelines transiting Ukraine from 1 January 2025.

By expanding US export capacity, the Corpus Christi facility will contribute to meeting European demand, supporting energy transition goals while ensuring supply resilience.

Europe’s need for reliable LNG sources has intensified, and Cheniere’s achievement at Corpus Christi represents a significant advancement in the global LNG landscape.