Wedoany.com Report-Dec.11, U.S. pipeline operator Energy Transfer has obtained sufficient sales commitments for liquefied natural gas to proceed with a final investment decision on its Lake Charles LNG export project early next year, a company executive announced on Wednesday.

Speaking at the Reuters Energy Live conference in Houston, Amy Chen Davis, vice president of Lake Charles LNG, confirmed that the marketing phase is now complete. The company has secured enough offtake agreements to support the planned facility in Louisiana, which will have an annual export capacity of 16.5 million metric tons.

Energy Transfer stated last month that it aimed to sell up to 80% of the project's equity to partners. According to Davis, the volume commitments now in place remove the main remaining uncertainty and enable the final investment decision in early 2026.

The executive expressed confidence in the long-term balance between global LNG supply and demand, noting that lower prices typically stimulate additional consumption. "We can't underestimate the power of demand catching up to supply," she said.

The Lake Charles project involves converting an existing import terminal into an export facility capable of processing and liquefying natural gas for international shipment. All planned output will be directed to overseas markets under the secured sales agreements.

Construction and operation of the terminal will create employment opportunities in Louisiana while contributing to U.S. natural gas exports. The project remains subject to final regulatory approvals, but the commercial foundation is now established following the conclusion of marketing efforts.

Energy Transfer's announcement reflects continued progress in expanding U.S. liquefied natural gas export infrastructure to meet growing international requirements for the fuel. The facility, once operational, will add significant new capacity to the country’s existing portfolio of LNG export terminals along the Gulf Coast.

The statements were made during a period of active development for multiple U.S. LNG projects, as companies finalize financing and contractual arrangements ahead of construction starts scheduled for 2026 and beyond. The Lake Charles initiative focuses exclusively on export volumes and does not involve domestic consumption or imports of liquefied natural gas.