LNG is expected to become the second-largest net U.S. export industry within five years, according to a study by S&P Global Energy. According to Jin10, the research said LNG could contribute nearly $1.4 trillion to U.S. GDP by 2040.
The study said the U.S. became the first country to export more than 100 million metric tons of LNG in a single year in 2025, helped by new LNG plants that boosted capacity. It also estimated that total investment in the U.S. LNG supply chain will exceed $1 trillion by 2040.
After the lifting of the LNG export pause last year, related capital spending is expected to rise sharply. The study estimated that LNG exports will generate $2.9 trillion in revenue, $206 billion in taxes, and nearly $630 billion in labor income.
It also projected that average U.S. household natural gas costs will rise 1.6% from 2026 to 2031. Export growth is expected to double natural gas supply demand to 36 billion cubic feet per day by 2031.