Liquefied natural gas is set to become the second‑largest net export sector in the United States over the next five years. S&P Global Energy estimates that growing gas exports will add nearly $1.4 trillion to US GDP by 2040.
The United States in 2025 became the first country in history to export more than 100 million metric tons of LNG in a single year, aided by the commissioning of new capacity. Analysts forecast that total industry investment will exceed $1 trillion by 2040, with financing flows accelerating after the repeal of last year’s export moratorium.
Export flows are expected to generate roughly $2.9 trillion in revenue, $206 billion in tax receipts, and about $630 billion in labor income. The flip side will be higher domestic costs. From 2026 to 2031, average US household gas bills are projected to rise by 1.6%.
Surging exports will double domestic gas demand, driving it to 36 billion cubic feet per day by 2031. Experts estimate that within five years, US LNG will capture roughly one‑third of the global market. They warn, however, that if planned export projects do not materialize, gas prices for Europe and Asia could jump by as much as 50%.