By Andrew Topf - Aug 12, 2026, 2:00 PM CDT

Qatar, the U.S. and Argentina are driving the next LNG wave, with major projects targeting Asia and Europe as energy security concerns grow.

QatarEnergy is expanding North Field, while Alaska LNG and Argentina LNG seek to unlock new gas supplies outside traditional LNG hubs.

U.S. projects dominate the pipeline, with Rio Grande LNG and Port Arthur LNG adding tens of millions of tonnes of annual export capacity by the early 2030s.

The war between the US and Iran has driven up natural gas prices, particularly in Europe and Asia. Asia accounts for nearly 90% of liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments from key Middle East producers like Qatar and the UAE, while Europe imports 7-11% of its LNG from the region.During spring 2026 missile and drone attacks, Iranian strikes hit Ras Laffan LNG Trains 4 & 6, and Pearl GTL Train 2. Ras Laffan owner QatarEnergy estimates repairs to the two units will sideline about 12.8 million tonnes per year of LNG capacity for three to five years.Pearl GTL Train 2 co-owners Qatar Energy and Shell (NYSE:SHEL) anticipate the train will require a year-long outage for repairs.According to the Platts Commodities Focus podcast by S&P Global Energy, what began as rising geopolitical tension in the Middle East quickly turned into a supply chain concern, especially once shipping through the Strait of Hormuz was disrupted, a key route for Qatari exports.According to Shell’s LNG Outlook 2026, global demand for LNG is expected to increase to nearly 700 million tonnes a year by 2050, 65% higher than 2025 levels, as countries continue to prioritize flexible and reliable energy security offered by natural gas and LNG.Will the next generation of liquefied natural gas projects be enough to satisfy blockbuster demand? And who will be the suppliers? Oilprice.com has identified the five largest LNG projects under development. They appear in no particular order.Qatar is moving forward with a major expansion of its North Field gas project. QatarEnergy earlier this year awarded US oilfield services company Baker Hughes (NASDAQ:BKR) a contract for the North Field West Project. The contract covers equipment for two LNG “mega trains”, including six gas turbines, 12 centrifugal compressors and integrated power systems, which are central to gas liquefaction. According to Euronews, the North Field West project forms part of Qatar's broader strategy to increase LNG production capacity from 77 million tonnes to 142 million tonnes per year once all expansion phases are completed. The NFW phase alone is expected to add around 16 million tonnes per year through two new production lines. QatarEnergy has already awarded engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts for the project to an international consortium, with first output expected towards the end of the decade.Designed to bring natural gas from Alaska’s North Slope to Alaskan and global markets, Alaska LNG is being developed by Glenfarne Group through Glenfarne Alaska LNG. Glenfarne is the 75% owner in partnership with the State of Alaska, which owns 25%. Phase 1 involves construction of a 739-mile, 42-inch pipeline to deliver natural gas from the North Slope to meet Alaska’s domestic energy needs. Phase 2 entails construction of the LNG liquefaction facility and related infrastructure in Nikiski, bringing the total pipeline length to 807 miles. This week, my Oilprice colleague Alex Kimani reported that Glenfarne Group is talking to two more potential buyers in a bid to secure offtake agreements for another 3 million metric tons of LNG before the company makes a final investment decision (FID). Glenfarne Group says it requires 80% of its 20-million-ton target capacity covered before making its FID, having secured offtake agreements for more than 13 million tons so far.Argentina LNG centers on monetizing vast shale gas reserves from the Vaca Muerta basin via the Gulf of San Matías in Río Negro province. The multi-billion-dollar effort combines a near-term floating LNG (FLNG) project targeted for 2027 with a larger 12-30 mtpa land-and-sea export buildout. Led by a partnership including Pan American Energy and Golar LNG, this smaller project utilizes the Hilli Episeyo FLNG unit. It targets an initial capacity of 2.45 mtpa. State-controlled YPF, alongside partners Eni and UAE-based XRG, is advancing a larger 12 to 30-mtpa venture. An FID is eyed for late 2026, with targeted initial shipments around 2030-31. Dedicated pipelines are planned from Vaca Muerta to the Atlantic coast, bolstered by a $70 million, 10-year marine services agreement awarded to India’s Adani Ports and the Meridian Group.The Rio Grande LNG Project is a massive liquefied natural gas export terminal being built by NextDecade Corporation on a nearly 1,000-acre site at the Port of Brownsville in South Texas. Designed with a multi-train layout, the facility aims to supply up to 48 million tonnes per annum of natural gas to global markets. Construction on Trains 1 and 2 has reached over 74% completion, with first LNG production expected in the first half of 2027. FID and funding for Train 4 and Train 5 were secured in late 2025, backed by major global energy buyers like TotalEnergies, ADNOC, Aramco, and ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP). The site has capacity for up to 10 trains total, with regulatory pre-filing underway for a Train 6. Natural gas supply is routed via feeder networks, including expansions like the Enbridge Bay Runner and Blackcomb pipelines connecting the Permian Basin to South Texas. The deep-draft Brazos Island Harbor Channel Project was completed to accommodate large LNG cargo carriers coming through the Brownsville ship channel.The Port Arthur LNG project is a massive $25 billion natural gas export facility located on the Gulf Coast in Jefferson County, Texas. Developed by Sempra Infrastructure, the multi-phase project provides a total nameplate export capacity of approximately 26 million tonnes per annum. Under construction since 2023 as a joint venture with ConocoPhillips, featuring two liquefaction trains and two storage tanks, Train 1 commercial operations begin in 2027, and Train 2 follows in 2028. An FID has been reached on a Phase 2, $12-14 billion expansion adding two more liquefaction trains (Trains 3 and 4) to double overall capacity. Train 3 is scheduled for 2030 and Train 4 for 2031. Port Arthur LNG will ultimately have four liquefaction trains, three LNG storage tanks and two marine berths. Bechtel is serving as the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor. Phase 1 capacity is fully subscribed with global buyers including ConocoPhillips, RWE, PKN Orlen, INEOS and Engie.By Andrew Topf for Oilprice.comMore Top Reads From Oilprice.comRussia Rebuilds Nuclear Workforce at Iran’s Bushehr PlantEgypt and Libya Near $1 Billion Oil Pipeline DealThe Hormuz Shock Is Far From OverMore Top Reads From Oilprice.comRussia Rebuilds Nuclear Workforce at Iran’s Bushehr PlantEgypt and Libya Near $1 Billion Oil Pipeline DealThe Hormuz Shock Is Far From Over