U.S. LNG Exports Hit Record 11.7 Million Tons in March 2026

In March 2026, the United States achieved a record liquefied natural gas export volume of 11.7 million metric tons, driven by supply disruptions in the Middle East and heightened global demand as Europe and Asia sought alternatives to Russian gas ahead of new import bans.

The surge followed Iranian missile strikes on March 18 that damaged facilities at QatarEnergy's Ras Laffan complex in Qatar, the world's largest LNG producer. The attacks halted production, potentially reducing output by more than 12 million metric tons annually for up to five years and removing about 17 percent of global supply. QatarEnergy invoked force majeure on long-term contracts with buyers in South Korea, China, Italy, and Belgium, citing the instability. This shock prompted panic buying, with benchmark LNG prices in Asia climbing above $22 per million British thermal units and European prices reaching $18.50 per MMBtu, compared to the U.S. Henry Hub price of $2.80.

U.S. exporters filled the gap, supported by new infrastructure. The Golden Pass LNG terminal in Texas, a joint venture between ExxonMobil and QatarEnergy, began operations, while Cheniere Energy ramped up a production unit at its Corpus...