Venture Global LNG’s tanker Venture Bayou has departed the Plaquemines export plant in Louisiana, carrying its first liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo to Germany, the company announced on Thursday. The shipment is destined for German utility EnBW and is expected to arrive in Brunsbuttel by January 8, based on ship tracking data from LSEG.
The U.S. remains the world’s largest LNG exporter and a vital supplier to Europe amid ongoing disruptions from Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Since 2022, Venture Global has sent more than 60 LNG cargoes to Germany, bolstering energy security across the region.
The Plaquemines plant, capable of producing 20 million metric tons of LNG annually, is Venture Global's second large-scale facility in Louisiana. Its first shipment was exported ahead of the U.S. Department of Energy’s seven-year export deadline, showcasing the company’s efficiency in completing and operationalizing LNG projects.
"In just five years, Venture Global has built, produced and launched exports from two large-scale LNG projects which has never been done before in the history of the industry,” said Mike Sabel, CEO of Venture Global.
Though still under construction, Plaquemines will continue producing LNG while completing its 36 trains and associated infrastructure. Once finished, it will rank among the largest LNG plants globally, reinforcing the U.S.'s position as the leading LNG exporter.
Earlier this month, Venture Global filed for what could be one of 2024's largest initial public offerings (IPOs), signaling its continued growth in the LNG sector.
