Golden Pass LNG, a joint venture between QatarEnergy and ExxonMobil, successfully dispatched its inaugural liquefied natural gas (LNG) export cargo from its terminal in Sabine Pass, Texas, on April 23, 2026. The departure of the first vessel marks the formal commencement of operations for the multi-billion-dollar liquefaction project, which has been under construction and conversion since 2019. The facility, originally constructed as an import terminal, has been transformed into a world-scale export hub designed to process approximately 18 million tonnes of LNG per annum (MTPA).
The first shipment was loaded onto a Q-Flex class vessel, which cleared the Sabine Pass waterway early Thursday morning. According to official statements from the joint venture, the first of three planned liquefaction trains is now fully operational, with the remaining two trains expected to come online sequentially over the next 12 to 18 months. Each train is designed to produce approximately 6 MTPA of LNG. QatarEnergy holds a 70% majority stake in the project, while ExxonMobil holds the remaining 30% interest.
ExxonMobil Chairman and CEO Darren Woods stated that the startup of Golden Pass LNG is a critical component of the company's long-term strategy to expand its global LNG portfolio and meet rising international demand. The project represents a total investment exceeding $10 billion and is positioned to provide a reliable source of natural gas to international markets, particularly in Europe and Asia. QatarEnergy’s Minister of State for Energy Affairs, Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, noted that the successful export reinforces the long-standing partnership between the two energy companies and strengthens the joint venture's role in the global energy supply chain.
The Golden Pass facility utilizes a combination of existing infrastructure from its previous iteration as an import terminal and new liquefaction technology. The site features five existing storage tanks and two marine berths capable of handling the largest LNG carriers in the global fleet. The project’s construction phase supported several thousand jobs in the Gulf Coast region and involved major engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contracts with firms including Chiyoda International Corporation and McDermott International.
The transition to operational status follows a period of rigorous testing and commissioning of the first liquefaction train. The facility is integrated with the Golden Pass Pipeline, which connects the terminal to the broader U.S. natural gas grid, allowing for the sourcing of feed gas from various domestic production basins. With the first cargo now in transit to its destination, Golden Pass LNG joins the ranks of operational export facilities on the U.S. Gulf Coast, significantly increasing the total domestic capacity to export natural gas to global consumers.