QatarEnergy has signed a long-term sale and purchase agreement to secure QatarEnergy US LNG volumes from Woodside Energy over a 20-year period.
This agreement directly complements major Gulf Coast energy developments, such as the US$4 Billion Commonwealth LNG Facility in Louisiana Set for 2031 Completion, which highlights ongoing capital investments in American gas export infrastructure.
Under the binding contract terms, state-owned QatarEnergy will purchase up to 3 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of liquefied natural gas from Woodside’s Louisiana LNG export project in Calcasieu Parish.
Energy market analysts note that this strategic agreement cements QatarEnergy’s position as the primary international off-taker of American gas supplies.
His Excellency Mr. Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Qatar’s Minister of State for Energy Affairs and President and CEO of QatarEnergy, finalized the milestone deal alongside Woodside Energy Chief Executive Officer Liz Westcott.
Commercial deliveries will begin in 2030, aligning with planned facility commissioning schedules along the US Gulf Coast.
Offshore Off-take Operations for QatarEnergy US LNG
Woodside Energy will supply the liquefied natural gas on a free-on-board (FOB) delivery basis directly from its Louisiana LNG export terminal.
Off-take volumes will start following the operational startup of Train 2. Cargo deliveries will then scale up to the full 3 MTPA capacity upon the commercial commissioning of Train 3.
The total expenditure for the broader Louisiana LNG development stands at $17.5 billion, encompassing multiple liquefaction trains and extensive pipeline interconnections.
Engineers designed the multi-train Louisiana facility to process raw natural gas from domestic shale basins into export-grade fuel.
Specialized LNG carrier ships will berth at the Calcasieu Ship Channel berths, loading super-cooled liquid gas through heavy cryogenic transfer arms. Regulators and project managers expect the terminal to deliver reliable energy cargoes to international energy buyers across Europe and Asia.
This massive long-term agreement strengthens QatarEnergy’s global portfolio diversification strategy. Purchasing North American supply enables QatarEnergy to optimize its international trade shipping routes dynamically.
Furthermore, the company maintains strong commercial momentum following recent long-term supply agreements with Cheniere Energy and its active equity stake in the Golden Pass LNG project in Texas.
Long-Term Market Strategy for QatarEnergy US LNG Procurement
The 20-year agreement provides vital commercial support for Woodside Energy as construction progresses on the $17.5 billion Louisiana liquefaction complex.
Woodside acquired the project to expand its global LNG footprint, securing binding off-take commitments from creditworthy state energy majors.
- Phased Volume Scaling: Supply begins with Train 2 operational startup and expands to full 3 MTPA capacity when Train 3 commences commercial operations.
- Portfolio Flexibility: Free-on-board delivery terms allow QatarEnergy to re-route LNG tankers dynamically to meet shifting global market demand.
- Strategic Supply Security: Long-term North American off-take balances domestic production networks, hedging against regional transit disruptions.
Woodside targets an overall capacity of 16.5 MTPA for Phase 1 of the Louisiana terminal, with future expansion options capable of raising total output to 27.6 MTPA.
Dedicated dual 42-inch gas pipelines will deliver up to 4.6 billion cubic feet per day of flowing feedstock natural gas to the plant site.
Energy planners expect civil engineering teams, marine contractors, and plant technicians to maintain high activity levels across Calcasieu Parish.
The project continues to generate thousands of construction roles and permanent engineering jobs in the Gulf Coast region.
Project Fact Sheet
Name: Louisiana LNG Supply & QatarEnergy 20-Year Sale and Purchase Agreement.
Type: Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Liquefaction, Storage, and Export Terminal.
Location: Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, United States.
Total investment: $17.5 billion total project capex ($15.9B terminal + $1.1B pipeline).
Developer: Woodside Energy (Operator & 60% Owner) & Stonepeak (40% Equity Partner).
Status: Under Construction & Active Engineering Phase (First Deliveries Target 2030).
Construction employment: Estimated 6,000+ specialized civil, mechanical, cryogenic, and marine engineering positions.
Permanent employment: Multi-hundred permanent technical operators, plant engineers, safety specialists, and logistics managers.
Timelines and production targets: Off-take commences in 2030 with Train 2 startup; ramps up to 3 MTPA full capacity upon Train 3 commissioning.
Technology integration: High-Efficiency ConocoPhillips Liquefaction Technology, Baker Hughes Turbomachinery, Cryogenic Storage Tanks.
Raw material supply: Feedstock natural gas delivered via dual 42-inch Line 200/300 intrastate pipelines connected to US shale gas basins.
Economic impact: Drives long-term industrial investment in Louisiana, generates substantial export tax revenues, and supports global energy security.
Key infrastructure needs: Multiple Liquefaction Trains, Marine Transfer Docks, Heavy Pipeline Interconnections, Cryogenic Storage Facilities.
Delivery risks: Construction labor supply constraints, global shipping route disruptions, natural gas feed price volatility.
Primary target markets: Global Energy Markets across Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Atlantic Basin.
Project Team
Project Owner & Developer: Woodside Energy (60%) & Stonepeak (40%)
Foundation Off-take Partner: QatarEnergy (3 MTPA for 20 years)
Key Equipment Contractors: Baker Hughes (Compressors & Turbomachinery), Bechtel (EPC Contractor)
Primary Regulatory Authorities: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), US Department of Energy (DOE)
Regional Economic Development Stakeholders: Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, Louisiana Economic Development (LED)
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