By Curtis Williams

HOUSTON (Reuters) – U.S. demand from LNG plants hit a record on Tuesday, the last day of the year, rising to 15.2 billion cubic feet (bcf) in a sign of a strong year ahead from the start of two new gas-processing plants. , the preliminary data from the financial company LSEG shows.

US natural gas demand for LNG plants is estimated to increase to 17.8 bcfd next year with the commissioning of Venture Global LNG’s 20 million tons per year (MTPA) Plaquemines plant in Louisiana and Cheniere Energy (NYSE:) in Corpus Christi Stage 3 expansion in Texas.

Demand for natural gas at LNG export plants could spur higher U.S. production and increase prices at the country’s main gas exchange in Louisiana, called the Henry Hub, according to sources. analyst. Gas prices were up 48 cents at midday Tuesday, at $3.94 per million cubic feet (mcf), according to LSEG data.

The US is the largest exporter of superchilled gas in the world and a major supplier to Europe and Asia. LNG exports and feedgas demand tend to be higher in the colder months of the Northern Hemisphere as this improves plant efficiency.

Tuesday was the third time in two weeks that US LNG feedgas demand exceeded 15 bcfd but the first time it reached 15.2 bcf, according to LSEG data.

In December, Venture Global and Cheniere announced the first LNG from their expansion projects with Venture Global’s Plaquemines plant making its first shipment to Germany.

US gas demand for LNG is expected to increase to 20.3 bcfd in 2026 as new plants ramp up output, and rise to 24.2 bcfd in 2028 according to US EIA data. The wins follow the start of Golden Pass LNG, a joint venture with QatarEnergy and Exxon Mobil (NYSE:) under construction offshore Texas with first gas due in late 2025 or early 2026.