EIA sees North American LNG export capacity more than doubling by 2029

Planned liquefaction capacity additions in North America will see total capacity across the continent more than double by 2029, the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) said last week. This includes a more than doubling of capacity in the US.

In an October 16 update, the EIA said 13.9bn cubic feet (394mn cubic metres) per day of liquefaction capacity would be added in the US between 2025 and 2029, more than doubling existing capacity. The US is the largest LNG exporter in the world, with 15.4 bcf (436 mcm) per day of capacity currently, the agency noted.

Across the whole of North America, meanwhile, the EIA estimates that LNG export capacity is set to increase from 11.4 bcf (323 mcm) per day at the start of 2024 to 28.7 bcf (813 mcm) per day in 2029, if projects under construction start up as planned. The EIA cited the International Energy Agency (IEA) as saying that North American LNG export capacity additions would account for over 50% of global capacity additions up to 2029.

The US accounts for the bulk of North America’s LNG export activity. Projects under construction currently include Port Arthur LNG, Rio Grande LNG, Louisiana LNG and CP2 LNG, as well as a further stage of expansion at Corpus Christi LNG. Meanwhile, Plaquemines LNG is producing LNG but still in commissioning and yet to enter commercial operation and Golden Pass LNG is thought to be close to beginning production.

The EIA noted that Canada would account for 2.5 bcf (70.8 mcm) per day of LNG export capacity additions over 2024-29, while Mexico would contribute 600mn cubic metres (17 mcm) per day of capacity additions over the same period.

In Canada, this includes the LNG Canada project, which started production earlier this year. Two further projects – Woodfibre LNG and Cedar LNG – are also under construction on Canada’s West Coast.

In Mexico, the Altamira Fast LNG project is already in service, with further capacity under development, and construction is also under way on Energía Costa Azul LNG.

Further projects have been proposed across North America and while not all will go ahead a number of others are targeting final investment decision (FIDs) in the near future. Once again, these projects are concentrated on the US Gulf Coast.