Australia operates ten major LNG terminals, with a combined nameplate liquefaction capacity of approximately 88–90 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) — making it one of the world’s top two LNG exporters alongside Qatar. This list ranks every LNG terminal in Australia by nameplate capacity as of 2026, drawing on operator disclosures and industry data.
How We Ranked LNG Terminals Australia
Rankings are based on nameplate liquefaction capacity in mtpa as reported by terminal operators and industry sources. Where operator figures vary slightly from third-party databases, the most recently confirmed operator figure has been used. Floating facilities are included where operational.
Top 10 LNG Terminals Australia by Capacity
| Rank | Terminal | State/Territory | Operator | Capacity (mtpa) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North West Shelf LNG | Western Australia | Woodside Energy | 16.9 |
| 2 | Gorgon LNG | Western Australia | Chevron | 15.6 |
| 3 | Australia Pacific LNG (APLNG) | Queensland | ConocoPhillips | 9.0 |
| 4 | Ichthys LNG | Northern Territory | INPEX | 8.9 |
| 5 | Wheatstone LNG | Western Australia | Chevron | 8.9 |
| 6 | Queensland Curtis LNG (QCLNG) | Queensland | Shell | 8.5 |
| 7 | Gladstone LNG (GLNG) | Queensland | Santos | 7.8 |
| 8 | Pluto LNG | Western Australia | Woodside Energy | 5.1 |
| 9 | Darwin LNG | Northern Territory | Santos | 3.7 |
| 10 | Prelude FLNG | Offshore Western Australia | Shell | 3.6 |
1. North West Shelf LNG — Western Australia
The North West Shelf LNG terminal at Karratha is Australia’s oldest and largest LNG export facility, with a nameplate capacity of 16.9mtpa across five liquefaction trains. Woodside Energy operates the terminal on behalf of a six-party joint venture that includes BP, Chevron, Shell, Mitsubishi, and Mitsui. The facility has been exporting LNG since 1989 and remains the anchor asset of Woodside’s Australian portfolio. Woodside Energy’s LNG profile covers the upstream gas supply strategy supporting the terminal through 2026.
2. Gorgon LNG — Western Australia
Gorgon LNG, located on Barrow Island off Western Australia’s Pilbara coast, has a nameplate capacity of 15.6mtpa and is operated by Chevron Australia. The three-train facility also incorporates one of Australia’s largest carbon capture and storage projects, designed to inject up to 4mtpa of CO₂ into a reservoir beneath Barrow Island — though the CCS system has underperformed its design specification since startup in 2016. Ownership is split between Chevron (47.32%), ExxonMobil (25%), Shell (25%), and several Japanese partners. See the full Chevron LNG storage profile for Gorgon and Wheatstone capacity and CCS updates.
3. Australia Pacific LNG (APLNG) — Queensland
Australia Pacific LNG at Curtis Island, Gladstone, has a two-train capacity of 9.0mtpa and is operated by ConocoPhillips. The facility is unique in processing coal seam gas (CSG) sourced from the Surat Basin in Queensland rather than conventional offshore gas. Ownership is held by ConocoPhillips (47.5%), Origin Energy (27.5%), and Sinopec (25%). APLNG shipped its first cargo in 2016 and has maintained consistent output since.
4. Ichthys LNG — Northern Territory
Ichthys LNG is a two-train facility at Bladin Point near Darwin with a nameplate capacity of 8.9mtpa, operated by INPEX. The project, which came online in 2018, processes gas from the Ichthys field in the Browse Basin — approximately 890km offshore. INPEX holds a 62.245% stake, with TotalEnergies holding 26.0% and a consortium of Japanese utilities sharing the remainder. A condensate production capacity of 100,000 barrels per day adds significant hydrocarbon revenue alongside LNG.
5. Wheatstone LNG — Western Australia
Wheatstone LNG at Onslow, Western Australia, has a two-train nameplate capacity of 8.9mtpa and is operated by Chevron. First LNG was produced in 2017. The facility processes gas from the Wheatstone and Iago fields in the Carnarvon Basin. Chevron holds a 64.14% stake; other partners include Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company (KUFPEC), Woodside, and Kyushu Electric Power. Wheatstone is Chevron’s second major operating LNG terminal in Australia.
6. Queensland Curtis LNG (QCLNG) — Queensland
Queensland Curtis LNG on Curtis Island was the world’s first facility to liquefy CSG for export when it started operations in 2014. Operated by Shell, the two-train facility has a capacity of 8.5mtpa. Gas is sourced from QGC’s coal seam gas acreage in the Surat and Bowen Basins. Shell holds an 87.5% operating interest, with CNOOC holding the remaining 12.5%.
7. Gladstone LNG (GLNG) — Queensland
Gladstone LNG, also at Curtis Island, is a two-train CSG-to-LNG facility with a nameplate capacity of 7.8mtpa operated by Santos. The project started LNG production in 2015. Santos holds a 30% stake alongside Total (27.5%), KOGAS (15%), and Petronas (27.5%). GLNG has historically operated below nameplate capacity due to upstream gas supply constraints, with Santos sourcing supplemental gas from third-party fields.
8. Pluto LNG — Western Australia
Pluto LNG, located at Burrup Peninsula near Karratha, is a single-train facility operated by Woodside Energy with a nameplate capacity of 5.1mtpa. The terminal came online in 2012 and processes gas from the Pluto and Xena fields offshore Western Australia. A second train — Pluto Train 2 — has been under consideration as part of the Scarborough gas development, with a final investment decision taken in 2021 and construction progressing toward first LNG targeted in 2026.
9. Darwin LNG — Northern Territory
Darwin LNG at Wickham Point has a single-train capacity of 3.7mtpa and is operated by Santos following its acquisition of ConocoPhillips’ Australian assets. The facility, which began operations in 2006, processes gas from the Bayu-Undan field in the Timor Sea. Bayu-Undan entered production decline, and Darwin LNG has been operating at reduced throughput. The Barossa gas project — Santos’ planned replacement feedstock — has faced legal and regulatory delays, making Darwin LNG’s medium-term utilisation rate a closely watched commercial variable in 2026.
10. Prelude FLNG — Offshore Western Australia
Prelude FLNG is Shell’s floating liquefied natural gas vessel moored approximately 475km north of Broome in the Browse Basin, with a production capacity of 3.6mtpa of LNG plus condensate and LPG. The world’s largest offshore floating structure when launched, Prelude has had a difficult operating history — experiencing multiple unplanned shutdowns and production stoppages since first LNG in 2019. Shell holds a 67.5% interest alongside INPEX (17.5%), KOGAS (10%), and CPC (5%). Output reliability rather than nameplate capacity remains the defining metric for Prelude in 2026.
LNG Terminals Australia: Regional Breakdown
Western Australia dominates Australian LNG infrastructure, accounting for approximately 50mtpa of nameplate capacity across five facilities. The state’s output is fed by large conventional offshore gas fields in the Carnarvon and Browse Basins. Queensland contributes around 25mtpa across three Curtis Island facilities — all of which use CSG as feedstock, a model unique to Queensland among the world’s major LNG export regions. The Northern Territory’s two facilities at Darwin and Bladin Point add over 12mtpa, though both face upstream supply questions over the medium term.
For context on how Australian projects rank globally, the Top 10 LNG terminals in the world list places North West Shelf fourth by capacity behind Sabine Pass, Nigeria LNG, and Yamal.
What to Watch for Australian LNG Terminals in 2026
The Scarborough-to-Pluto Train 2 project is the highest-profile Australian LNG development in the current construction cycle, with Woodside targeting first LNG in 2026. Santos’ Barossa project remains under pressure — the replacement feedstock for Darwin LNG has faced environmental and legal challenges that have pushed its timeline out. Prelude FLNG’s operational reliability continues to determine whether Shell maintains or divests its floating asset. Across the sector, Asian buyer diversification away from long-term contract dependency is reshaping offtake negotiations at all ten facilities.
Which is the largest LNG terminal in Australia?
North West Shelf LNG at Karratha, Western Australia, is the largest LNG terminal in Australia by nameplate capacity at 16.9mtpa. It is operated by Woodside Energy on behalf of a six-party joint venture and has been exporting LNG since 1989.
How are Australia’s LNG terminals ranked?
This ranking uses nameplate liquefaction capacity in million tonnes per annum (mtpa) as the primary criterion, based on operator disclosures and industry data. Actual output may differ due to maintenance cycles, upstream supply constraints, or operational issues.
How many LNG terminals does Australia have?
Australia has ten major operating LNG export terminals. Together they provide a combined nameplate capacity of approximately 88–90mtpa, split across Western Australia (five facilities), Queensland (three), and the Northern Territory (two).
What is Prelude FLNG and why is it ranked last?
Prelude FLNG is Shell’s floating liquefied natural gas vessel moored offshore Western Australia, with a nameplate capacity of 3.6mtpa. It ranks last by capacity but is notable as the world’s largest floating offshore structure. Its operating history has been characterised by repeated unplanned shutdowns since production began in 2019.
What is the difference between Queensland and Western Australia LNG terminals?
Western Australia’s LNG terminals process conventional offshore gas from the Carnarvon and Browse Basins. Queensland’s three Curtis Island facilities — APLNG, QCLNG, and GLNG — are unique in processing coal seam gas (CSG) sourced from onshore Queensland fields, making them the only CSG-to-LNG export facilities operating at commercial scale globally.