Newly confirmed US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright has granted a new export authorization for the Commonwealth LNG project proposed for Cameron Parish, Louisiana—the first major US liquefied natural gas (LNG) project to receive an export authorization for non-free trade agreement (FTA) countries since the Biden-Harris administration’s freeze on LNG export permit approvals was lifted.
In January, President Trump used an executive order to lift the pause placed on new LNG permits by former President Biden in early 2024. At the time, Biden said the pause on approvals was needed so US national laboratories could study the environmental and economic effects of the LNG export industry.
“President Trump has outlined a bold agenda for unleashing American energy dominance, and restoring regular order on US LNG export permits is critical for meeting this commitment to the American people,” said Secretary Wright. “Today marks one of many steps that DOE will be taking to assure our future as a reliable energy supplier to the world and resume regular order to our regulatory responsibilities over natural gas exports.
Once constructed, Commonwealth LNG, owned by Kimmeridge Texas Gas LLC, will be able to export over 1.2 Bcf/D of natural gas as LNG, further cementing the US position as the top global exporter of LNG.
The authorization conditionally grants Commonwealth LNG permission to export LNG to non-FTA countries from the proposed Commonwealth LNG project. In the order, DOE finds that LNG exports from Commonwealth LNG are likely to yield economic benefits to the US, diversify global LNG supplies, and improve energy security for US allies and trading partners over the course of the export term through 2050. DOE expects to issue a final order to Commonwealth LNG later this year.
Separately, Commonwealth also received its draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
“With these decisions in hand, subject to a FERC Final Order, which we expect in July 2025, and DOE final authorization, Commonwealth anticipates reaching a final investment decision in September 2025, with first LNG production expected in Q1 2029,” said Commonwealth CEO Farhad Ahrabi.
Once fully operational, Commonwealth LNG will be a 9.5-mtpa LNG export terminal project located on the Calcasieu River near Cameron.
Kimmeridge took control of the project last June when it acquired majority ownership in the proposed project from Commonwealth LNG founder Paul Varello.
According to the US Energy Information Administration’s most recent Short-Term Energy Outlook, current US LNG exports are expected to reach record highs in 2025, averaging over 15 Bcf/D. These record export levels are accompanied by record highs in current US natural gas production of almost 105 Bcf/D.
