Golden Pass LNG Ships First Export Cargo on April 22, Adding U.S. Capacity

Golden Pass LNG shipped its first export cargo on April 22, becoming the 10th U.S. liquefied natural gas export terminal, according to project developer Golden Pass LNG and the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

The startup adds new U.S. supply at a sensitive moment for global gas markets. The EIA has said Golden Pass is the only new U.S. LNG export terminal currently expected to begin shipments in 2026, and it is entering service as disruptions tied to the Strait of Hormuz have affected more than 10 billion cubic feet per day of gas supply, or about 20% of the global total.

The first cargo was loaded from Train 1 at the company’s terminal at Sabine Pass near Port Arthur in Jefferson County, Texas. Golden Pass is a joint venture owned by QatarEnergy, which holds 70%, and ExxonMobil, which owns the remaining 30%. When fully operational, the project expects to export about 18 million tonnes per year of LNG from three liquefaction trains, according to the company.

The first shipment left port 23 days after the project reached first LNG production on March 30, according to Golden Pass and the EIA. The project reached final investment decision in February 2019, but startup was delayed after lead contractor Zachry filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2024.

Golden Pass’ entry into service extends a yearslong expansion of U.S. LNG export capacity, with the Texas facility the newest terminal to join that buildout. The project is also notable for its ownership structure: majority owner QatarEnergy is adding export capacity in the United States even as disruptions in the Gulf have tightened supply.

“Today’s first LNG export cargo is a defining moment for Golden Pass, our workforce, the community, and the nation,” Alex Savva, president and CEO of Golden Pass, said in a statement. The EIA has said the project’s first two trains are expected to add about 1.4 Bcf/d of export capacity, with the third train adding roughly another 0.7 Bcf/d, for total capacity of about 2.1 Bcf/d when all three are operating.