QatarEnergy Celebrates First Export Cargo from Golden Pass LNG Project

QatarEnergy recently celebrated the first LNG export cargo from the Golden Pass LNG project in Sabine Pass, TX – a joint venture between ExxonMobil (30%) and QatarEnergy (70%). The cargo was safely and successfully loaded onboard the company’s Al-Qaiyyah LNG carrier, recently constructed in South Korea with a capacity of 174,000 m³. This historic LNG cargo marks a step toward the project’s commencement of full commercial and export operations.

“This is a significant industry milestone that marks a new chapter in QatarEnergy’s global efforts to meet rising LNG demand and ensure reliable supplies to international markets,” said Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, President and CEO of QatarEnergy. “The Golden Pass LNG project is one of the single largest investment decisions in the history of the U.S. LNG sector, affirming QatarEnergy’s position and reputation as a reliable provider and a trusted partner of choice that drives growth and development around the world.”

QatarEnergy’s wholly owned LNG trading entity, QatarEnergy Trading, will offtake 70% of the project’s 18 MTPA of LNG production capacity. Offtake from Golden Pass LNG will complement QatarEnergy Trading’s global LNG portfolio and support its business growth. In February 2019, the partners announced their final investment decision of over $10 billion to develop the Golden Pass LNG project, which achieved sustained liquefaction operations and first LNG production from three trains on March 30, 2026.

“I would like to thank the relevant U.S. authorities and regulators for their cooperation on this key project,” said Al-Kaabi. “We are also grateful for the strong commitment of the QatarEnergy and Golden Pass LNG teams in delivering this important energy project, as well as the invaluable role played by our strategic partner, ExxonMobil.”

Offshore Compression

In May 2025, Larsen & Toubro Hydrocarbon granted Technip Energies a detailed engineering design (DED) contract, valued between €50 million and €250 million, to establish designs and specifications for two offshore compression complexes in QatarEnergy LNG’s North Field. The DED contract follows Technip’s completion of the front-end engineering and design phase.

Each offshore compression complex will feature large-scale offshore platforms, flare platforms, interconnected bridges, and additional infrastructure, building out QatarEnergy’s North Field Production Sustainability Offshore Compression Project. Within the scope of North Field, QatarEnergy recently announced that work is currently underway at a new LNG expansion project, North Field West, to increase Qatar’s LNG production capacity to 142 MTPA before the end of 2030. This production increase is approximately 85% higher than current Qatari production levels.

DOE Approval

In early March 2025, the Department of Energy approved Golden Pass LNG Terminal’s (Golden Pass) export permit extension, granting additional time to begin LNG exports from the terminal in Sabine Pass, TX. Upon completion, Golden Pass may export up to 2.5 Bcf/d of LNG, significantly supporting the natural gas export market in the United States.

“Exporting U.S. LNG supports American jobs, bolsters our national security and strengthens America’s position as a world energy leader,” said Chris Wright, Head of the U.S. Department of Energy. “President Trump has pledged to restore energy dominance for the American people, and I am proud to help deliver on that agenda with today’s permit extension.”