QatarEnergy and ExxonMobil's Golden Pass LNG Achieves First LNG Production in Texas

Golden Pass LNG, the liquefied natural gas joint venture between QatarEnergy and ExxonMobil, has achieved first LNG production from the first of the three trains of its 18 million tonnes per annum export project at Sabine Pass, Texas, QatarEnergy announced on March 30, 2026. The milestone clears the way for the venture to deliver its first export cargo and for the start of global LNG deliveries, which are expected to begin in the second quarter of 2026.

First LNG from the first of three trains

First LNG production marks a major milestone towards full operations of the project's LNG production and export facilities. It was achieved on the first of the three liquefaction trains that together form the 18 million tonnes per annum complex, and it sets the stage for Golden Pass LNG to deliver its first cargo from its facilities at Sabine Pass, Texas, by reaching sustained liquefaction operations and meeting the venture's commercial and strategic objectives.

"First LNG is of a particular importance for one of the largest single investment decisions in the US LNG history. The operational phase and market entry of Golden Pass LNG will come at an important time when global energy security ranks very high on energy agendas worldwide. We look forward to the safe and successful start of export operations," said His Excellency Saad bin Sherida al-Kaabi, the Minister of State for Energy Affairs and the President and Chief Executive Officer of QatarEnergy.

A decade-long international investment strategy

Golden Pass LNG is part of a wider QatarEnergy strategy for international investments that the company has been planning over the past decade. It also represents a significant part of the plans announced by QatarEnergy in 2018 to invest $20 billion in the US energy sector, making the Sabine Pass complex the operational proof of that commitment.

"We are now seeing the first fruits of this far-sighted strategy with the start of Golden Pass LNG, which will play an important role in supporting global energy security and a fair and balanced access to cleaner energy," al-Kaabi said.

The QatarEnergy chief also thanked the US regulators for their effective cooperation, which he said helped lead to this moment; the strategic partner ExxonMobil, with whom QatarEnergy continues to work closely to implement this and other projects around the world; and the management and all employees at Golden Pass LNG as well as the teams at both parent companies, whose dedication and commitment he described as key to helping deliver on the energy commitment.

Project facts at a glance

• Ownership: QatarEnergy holds 70 percent of the Golden Pass LNG joint venture, ExxonMobil holds 30 percent.
• Investment decision: the two companies announced a final investment decision of more than $10 billion for developing the Golden Pass LNG export project in February 2019.
• Capacity: 18 million tonnes per annum of LNG across three liquefaction trains.
• Location: Sabine Pass, Texas, United States.
• Milestone: first LNG production from the first train, announced on March 30, 2026, with sustained liquefaction operations under way.
• Next step: the first cargo from the Sabine Pass facilities, with global LNG exports from the project expected to begin in the second quarter of 2026.

Why the milestone matters for the market

The operational phase and market entry of Golden Pass LNG come at a moment when global energy security ranks very high on energy agendas worldwide, and the project is positioned by its owners as a contributor to a fair and balanced access to cleaner energy. As one of the largest single investment decisions in US LNG history, the venture moves from construction into commercial operation train by train, with the first train now producing and the remaining trains to follow towards full operations of the 18 million tonnes per annum facility.

Company and contacts

QatarEnergy is the Qatari state energy company and, through its 70 percent stake, the controlling partner of the Golden Pass LNG joint venture with ExxonMobil. The announcement and all statements above are attributed in the source to His Excellency Saad bin Sherida al-Kaabi, Minister of State for Energy Affairs and President and CEO of QatarEnergy; the source article carries no direct company telephone or e-mail contacts.

Website: https://www.qatarenergy.qa/