Cheniere/CCL Application for Long-Term LNG Export Authorization to Non-Free Trade Agreement Nations

The U.S. Department of Energy's Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office (HGEO) has received an application from Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC, CCL Midscale 8-9, LLC, and Cheniere Marketing, LLC (collectively 'CCL') filed on March 2, 2026. The application seeks long-term, multi-contract authorization to export domestically produced liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the CCL Midscale Complex at the existing Corpus Christi LNG terminal in San Patricio and Nueces Counties, Texas. CCL is requesting authorization to export approximately 251 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of natural gas per year in LNG form to countries that do not have a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States. This is a significant volume request, as non-FTA exports require specific DOE approval under the Natural Gas Act (NGA), unlike FTA-country exports which are treated as automatically approved. The application was filed under the Natural Gas Act, which governs LNG export licensing in the United States. HGEO (formerly known as the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management, FECM) is the DOE office responsible for reviewing and approving such applications. The notice signals the start of the public comment and review process for this authorization request. If approved, this authorization would significantly expand CCL's export capacity from its Corpus Christi facility, enabling Cheniere — already the largest U.S. LNG exporter — to supply additional volumes to major international buyers in Europe, Asia, and other non-FTA markets.

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