US LNG exports reach 34 cargoes in a week as the US-Europe gas price gap widens

US LNG plants shipped 34 cargoes in the week ending July 15, 2026, three more than the prior week. The US Energy Information Administration projects the country's gross LNG exports to reach about 16.7 billion cubic feet per day in 2026, up from 15.1 in 2025.

Despite the brisk exports, the US Henry Hub spot price fell to about $2.80 per million BTU under the weight of Freeport terminal maintenance, while the Henry Hub-TTF spread with Europe widened to nearly $12.60. The gap reflects severe Qatari supply disruption, low European storage and tight global demand.

Iran's March 2026 attack on Qatar's Ras Laffan export complex damaged two liquefaction trains, about 17 percent of Qatar's export capacity; Qatar supplied nearly 20 percent of global LNG in 2025.