A Shale Success Story: LNG

An energy transformation is underway in America and technology is leading the charge. Advances in hydraulic fracturing and directional drilling have completely shattered prior expectations about our nation’s energy future by unlocking vast amounts of shale resources that were previously considered off limits. Only a decade ago, many thought America was running out of oil and gas and would grow increasingly dependent on foreign imports, much of it from unstable or hostile nations. But thanks to the shale revolution, America today is producing more oil and gas than ever before, which is contributing to lower prices, greater energy security, and unprecedented job growth in the energy sector.

For evidence of this transformation, consider the role of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in America’s energy market. Ten years ago, LNG imports were seen as a key ingredient to fueling America’s energy demand, but today, LNG exports are helping supply the world’s needs. Thanks to American ingenuity and technological advances, we now have more than enough gas to supply our domestic needs and the export market.

The Energy Information Administration’s 2004 Annual Energy Outlook highlighted LNG as a growing source of U.S. imports:

“LNG imports are expected to constitute an increasing proportion of U.S. natural gas supply. Total net imports are projected to supply 21 percent of total U.S. natural gas consumption in 2010 (5.5 trillion cubic feet) and 23 percent in 2025 (7.2 trillion cubic feet) compared with recent historical levels of around 15 percent. Nearly all of the increase in net imports, from 3.5 trillion cubic feet in 2002, is expected to consist of LNG. … Strong growth in LNG is expected to continue throughout the forecast period, with LNG’s share of net imports growing from less than 5 percent in 2002 to 39 percent (2.2 trillion cubic feet) in 2010 and 66 percent (4.8 trillion cubic feet) in 2025.”

Contrast this with the EIA’s 2014 Annual Energy Outlook, which shows U.S. LNG exports to be on the rise and predicts the U.S. will become a net exporter of natural gas in just a few short years:

“With relatively low natural gas prices in the AEO2014 Reference case, the United States becomes a net exporter of natural gas in 2018, with net exports growing to 5.8 Tcf in 2040. Most of the projected growth in exports consists of LNG exported to overseas markets. From 2012 to 2040, U.S. net exports of LNG increase by 3.5 Tcf…”

The New York Times this week highlighted this stunning turnabout by showcasing the Golden Pass LNG terminal in Texas which is targeted for a $10 billion renovation project to convert the terminal from an import to an export facility:

“SABINE PASS, Tex. — The giant Golden Pass natural gas import terminal here, meant to bring Middle Eastern gas to energy-hungry Americans, sits eerily quiet these days, a sleepy museum to a bygone era.

Its 5,000 valves, 50 million pounds of steel and ship berth as big as 77 football fields — representing a $2 billion investment by Qatar Petroleum, Exxon Mobil and Conoco Phillips — have been dormant for nearly three years. The unexpected American shale fracking frenzy produced such a glut of domestic gas that the United States does not need Qatari gas anymore.

But the Golden Pass story is only beginning.

Qatar Petroleum, the state oil company, is now requesting permission to export American gas, proposing with its partner Exxon Mobil an audacious conversion of the facility to export from import. The additional estimated cost: $10 billion, if not more.”

The American Interest  aptly described Golden Pass as an “example of the disruptive power of shale energy,” and explained, “The energy world isn’t nimble by nature. Projects require huge capital outlays, and typically take years to produce and start making that money back. It’s remarkable, then, that in just a decade America has gone from building out natural gas import capabilities to scrambling to find a way to unleash what has become a glut on global markets. We’re much, much more energy secure than we were pre-fracking, and the future looks even brighter.”

But to ensure our future is as bright as it can be, we need the right policies. Federal regulations have failed to keep pace with America’s shale revolution and many are rooted in outdated perceptions of energy scarcity rather than today’s reality of energy abundance. For example, the same laws that regulated LNG import terminals are now being applied to LNG export terminals. Layers of archaic red tape continue to hold back billion-dollar investment opportunities to construct export projects that would support thousands of American jobs.

It’s time for a policy transformation to match our energy transformation. The Energy and Commerce Committee is meeting this challenge by setting out to build the Architecture of Abundance. To learn more about this new energy vision for the 21st century and our solutions to secure a bright energy future, visit: http://energycommerce.house.gov/yes2energy.