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QatarEnergy has initiated its first liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments from the Golden Pass project located in Texas, representing a significant achievement in its biggest investment in the United States.

The freight was loaded at the Sabine Pass facility, a collaboration with ExxonMobil, as the initiative advances toward complete operational readiness.

The cargo was transported aboard the Al-Qaiyyah LNG vessel, which can hold 174,000 cubic meters.

“This represents a major industry achievement, signifying a new phase in QatarEnergy’s global initiatives to address increasing LNG demand and guarantee stable supplies to international markets,” said Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Qatar’s Minister of State for Energy Affairs and CEO of QatarEnergy.

The Golden Pass LNG initiative, worth over $10 billion (€8.5 billion), is owned by QatarEnergy with a 70% share and ExxonMobil with 30%. It is anticipated to generate approximately 18 million tonnes annually upon completion.

The Golden Pass export facility achieved a significant milestone in late March 2026 by producing its first LNG from Train 1 — the initial of three separate processing units. This signifies the beginning of the project’s gradual implementation, with the other two liquefaction units expected to commence operations throughout 2026 and 2027.

It is among the biggest liquefied natural gas export projects in the United States and forms part of QatarEnergy’s strategy to broaden its LNG business outside of Qatar, alongside the expansion of its North Field, which seeks to increase local production capacity to 142 million tons annually by 2030.

The United States is currently the leading exporter of liquefied natural gas globally, and the Golden Pass initiative provides QatarEnergy direct access to export facilities along the U.S. Gulf Coast, enabling shipments to reach both European and Asian markets.

The initiative also emerges as global demand for liquefied natural gas stays robust, especially in Europe and Asia, maintaining pressure for new sources of supply.

QatarEnergy Trading, the firm’s LNG sales division, is anticipated to secure approximately 70% of the production.