Energy Department Authorizes Additional Exports of LNG from Elba Island Terminal, Strengthening Global Energy Supply with U.S. LNG

WASHINGTON-U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright today authorized an immediate 22% increase in exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the Elba Island Terminal in Chatham County, Georgia. With today's order, Kinder Morgan subsidiary Southern LNG Company L.L.C., operator of the Elba Island LNG Terminal, is now authorized to export up to an additional 28.25 (Bcf/yr) to non-free trade agreement countries, strengthening global natural gas supplies with reliable U.S. LNG. Elba Island was previously authorized to export up to 130 billion cubic feet per year (Bcf/yr) of natural gas as LNG to non-free trade agreement countries and has been exporting U.S. LNG since 2019. The project is positioned to export the additional approved volumes immediately.

"At a time when global energy supply routes face disruption, the United States remains a reliable energy partner to our allies and trading partners," said DOE Assistant Secretary of the Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office, Kyle Haustveit. "DOE is using all available authorities to ensure American energy can reach global markets when it is needed most, supporting energy security and helping stabilize global energy supplies."

The action comes as global oil and LNG supply routes face disruption from tensions in the Middle East and attacks carried out by Iran and its proxies, threatening the reliable flow of energy through critical maritime corridors. The Department will continue to act, using its full set of authorities, to ensure U.S. LNG remains a dependable energy source in global energy markets and a stabilizing presence in times of disruption.

Thanks to President Trump's leadership and American innovation, the United States is the world's largest natural gas producer and exporter, with exports reaching all-time highs in March 2026. Since President Trump ended the previous administration's LNG export approval ban, the Department has approved more than 19 Bcf/d of LNG export authorizations. With recent final investment decisions for additional export capacity, U.S. LNG exports are set to more than double from current levels by the early 2030s.

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