LNG terminals North America collectively export more liquefied natural gas than any other region on earth. The United States alone accounted for over 88 million tonnes of LNG exports in 2024, and capacity additions at Plaquemines, Corpus Christi Stage 3, and the long-delayed Golden Pass project are set to push North American output beyond 150 MTPA before the end of the decade.
How We Ranked the Top 10 LNG Terminals North America
Terminals are ranked by nameplate liquefaction (export) capacity in million tonnes per annum (MTPA). Import and regasification terminals are excluded — this list covers active and near-operational export infrastructure only. Where a terminal is still ramping up, peak contracted capacity is used. LNG Canada is included given first commercial cargoes have shipped and Phase 1 capacity is confirmed. Data sourced from the US Department of Energy LNG export authorisations database.
Top 10 LNG Terminals North America: The Full Rankings
| # | Terminal | Location | Operator | Capacity (MTPA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sabine Pass LNG | Louisiana, US | Cheniere Energy | 30.0 |
| 2 | Corpus Christi LNG | Texas, US | Cheniere Energy | 16.5 |
| 3 | Freeport LNG | Texas, US | Freeport LNG Development | 15.0 |
| 4 | Cameron LNG | Louisiana, US | Sempra Infrastructure | 14.95 |
| 5 | Calcasieu Pass LNG | Louisiana, US | Venture Global LNG | 12.0 |
| 6 | Plaquemines LNG | Louisiana, US | Venture Global LNG | 27.0 (ramping) |
| 7 | Cove Point LNG | Maryland, US | BHE GT&S | 5.75 |
| 8 | Elba Island LNG | Georgia, US | Kinder Morgan | 2.5 |
| 9 | LNG Canada | British Columbia, Canada | Shell / JV | 14.0 |
| 10 | Golden Pass LNG | Texas, US | QatarEnergy / ExxonMobil | 16.0 (planned) |
1. Sabine Pass LNG — Louisiana, United States
Cheniere Energy operates Sabine Pass LNG in Cameron Parish, Louisiana — the largest of all LNG terminals in North America and, by operational capacity, the largest in the world. Six liquefaction trains deliver a combined 30 MTPA. The facility processes more than 4.7 billion cubic feet of natural gas daily and has been loading commercial cargoes since Train 1 came online in 2016. A Stage 3 expansion adding a seventh train is under active development.
2. Corpus Christi LNG — Texas, United States
Also operated by Cheniere, Corpus Christi LNG on the Texas Gulf Coast reached full three-train operational capacity at 15 MTPA before Stage 3 expansion works began. The mid-scale Stage 3 configuration — seven smaller trains totalling approximately 11 MTPA — is designed to lower per-unit construction costs. When complete, Corpus Christi’s total nameplate capacity reaches around 16.5 MTPA, cementing Cheniere’s hold over roughly half of all US LNG export throughput.
3. Freeport LNG — Texas, United States
Freeport LNG on Quintana Island, Texas, operates three liquefaction trains with a combined capacity of 15 MTPA. Owned by a consortium including Freeport LNG Investments, Chubu Electric, TEPCO, and Osaka Gas, the terminal is one of the few major US export facilities not controlled by a domestic energy major. A severe fire in June 2022 forced an eight-month shutdown that temporarily removed 15 MTPA of LNG terminals North America supply from global markets. The terminal returned to full capacity in 2023 and has operated without disruption since.
4. Cameron LNG — Louisiana, United States
Sempra Infrastructure leads operations at Cameron LNG in Hackberry, Louisiana, alongside partners Mitsubishi, Mitsui, TotalEnergies, and NYK Line. Three trains deliver 14.95 MTPA. Cameron was the first US LNG export project to secure Japanese utility involvement at ownership level, and its offtake structure — with cargoes pre-sold to Asian buyers — remains a template for long-term LNG project financing.
5. Calcasieu Pass LNG — Louisiana, United States
Venture Global LNG brought Calcasieu Pass online in 2022 using a modular liquefaction design that reduced both construction time and capital cost relative to conventional train-based projects. Nameplate capacity is 10–12 MTPA. Venture Global’s commissioning cargo controversy — in which buyers complained that LNG produced during commissioning was sold on spot markets rather than delivered under contract — resulted in international arbitration proceedings that were still active as of early 2026.
6. Plaquemines LNG — Louisiana, United States
Venture Global’s second facility, Plaquemines LNG, is located in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, and represents the largest single capacity addition among LNG terminals in North America since Sabine Pass. Full nameplate capacity is 27 MTPA across two phases. Commercial ramp-up was underway in early 2026. The project uses the same modular IPSMR liquefaction process as Calcasieu Pass, deployed across 36 mid-scale trains.
7. Cove Point LNG — Maryland, United States
Cove Point LNG, operated by BHE GT&S (a Berkshire Hathaway Energy subsidiary), is the only major LNG export terminal on the US East Coast. Its 5.75 MTPA capacity is contracted almost entirely to Sumitomo and Tokyo Gas under 20-year agreements. The East Coast location provides a natural freight advantage for deliveries to Europe and reduces vessel transit time compared to Gulf Coast terminals by up to five days on Atlantic routes.
8. Elba Island LNG — Georgia, United States
Kinder Morgan operates Elba Island LNG near Savannah, Georgia — the smallest of the major US export terminals at 2.5 MTPA. The facility uses a small-scale movable modular liquefaction system developed by Shell, which holds the terminal’s entire offtake under a 20-year tolling agreement. Elba Island functions primarily as a supply security facility for Shell’s downstream LNG portfolio rather than a merchant export hub.
9. LNG Canada — British Columbia, Canada
LNG Canada in Kitimat, British Columbia, is the first large-scale export terminal in Canada and the most significant new entry among LNG terminals in North America on the Pacific side of the continent. The Shell-led joint venture — which includes Petronas, PetroChina, Mitsubishi, and Korea Gas — loaded its first commercial cargo in 2025. Phase 1 capacity is 14 MTPA. A Pacific location means cargoes reach Japan and South Korea in roughly 10 days, compared to 25 days from the US Gulf Coast.
10. Golden Pass LNG — Texas, United States
Golden Pass LNG in Sabine Pass, Texas, is a QatarEnergy and ExxonMobil joint venture targeting first export cargoes in the second half of 2026. Three liquefaction trains will deliver a combined 16 MTPA once fully operational. The project experienced significant delays following the bankruptcy of lead EPC contractor Zachry Holdings in 2024. At full capacity, Golden Pass will rank among the top five LNG terminals in North America by export volume.
The Future of LNG Terminals North America: What to Watch in 2026
LNG terminals in North America are entering their most concentrated expansion phase since the first Gulf Coast projects came online between 2016 and 2020. Plaquemines LNG ramping to full output, Golden Pass clearing its construction backlog, and LNG Canada capturing Asian spot demand will together add more than 40 MTPA of new supply to global markets within a 24-month window. For operators, the pressure shifts from permitting and construction to long-term offtake security and operational uptime. The Venture Global arbitration cases will set a precedent for how commissioning cargo disputes are adjudicated across the sector.
What is the largest LNG terminal in North America?
Sabine Pass LNG in Louisiana, operated by Cheniere Energy, is the largest LNG terminal in North America with a nameplate export capacity of 30 MTPA across six liquefaction trains. It is also the largest operational LNG export facility in the world.
How are LNG terminals in North America ranked?
This list ranks terminals by nameplate liquefaction (export) capacity in million tonnes per annum (MTPA). Import and regasification facilities are excluded. Where a terminal is ramping up, confirmed peak contracted capacity is used.
When will Golden Pass LNG begin exporting?
Golden Pass LNG, a joint venture between QatarEnergy and ExxonMobil in Texas, is targeting first export cargoes in the second half of 2026. The project was delayed after lead EPC contractor Zachry Holdings filed for bankruptcy in 2024, but construction has continued under a revised contractor structure.
Is Canada included in North American LNG terminal rankings?
Yes. LNG Canada in Kitimat, British Columbia, is included and ranks ninth with 14 MTPA of Phase 1 capacity. It is the first large-scale LNG export facility in Canada and began commercial shipments in 2025, serving Asian markets via a Pacific shipping route.
What happened to Freeport LNG in 2022?
A fire at Freeport LNG’s Texas facility in June 2022 forced an eight-month shutdown across all three liquefaction trains. The outage temporarily removed 15 MTPA of US export capacity from the market and contributed to elevated European LNG spot prices during the 2022–2023 winter period. The terminal returned to full operations in 2023.