Rabia Iclal Turan and Dilara Zengin
17 January 2026•Update: 17 January 2026
WASHINGTON
The US plans to double its liquefied natural gas (LNG) export capacity in the coming years as global demand continues to surge, according to the head of the United States Energy Association (USEA).
“The US is really leading the world now in both production and is significantly exporting both LNG and oil,” Mark Menezes told Anadolu on the sidelines of the State of the Energy Industry Forum in Washington.
“We’re now exporting up to more than 3 million barrels per day,” he said, adding that the US exports play a stabilizing role in global energy markets by ensuring supply and moderating prices.
Menezes noted that the US will mark the 10th anniversary of its first LNG export in February.
“In fact, the demand has been so great globally that we’re going to double our capacity to export in the coming years,” he said. “Our friends and allies around the world, including Türkiye, will have an abundance, really, of affordable natural gas for the years to come.”
US-Türkiye energy cooperation
Menezes addressed energy cooperation between the US and Türkiye, noting that collaboration extends beyond LNG to nuclear energy and other sources.
“It’s important that the US and Türkiye remain really strong allies for global security purposes,” he said.
“Türkiye and the US have had such a long-standing relationship that it’s important to recognize the role that the US can play, ensuring that Türkiye has an abundance of energy,” he said.
Rising demand from AI sector
Menezes said the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and data centers is driving a sharp increase in electricity demand, requiring a mix of energy sources.
“They need power. They want power. They need it now,” he said, noting that in the short term, natural gas and renewables supported by battery storage are critical.
“A little bit longer out it’s nuclear,” Menezes said. “So, it’s going to be all of the above. I mean, every source of electricity is going to be needed.”
Outlook for US energy sector
Looking ahead, Menezes said the US energy industry will see expanded use of natural gas, renewed investment in nuclear power and continued growth in LNG exports.
“You’re going to see more exports of LNG around the world,” he said. “You’re going to see more natural gas use in the US.”
He pointed to emerging technologies, including geothermal energy, small modular reactors and further into the future, fusion energy, as part of the long-term energy strategy.
According to the US Department of Energy, the United States began exporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) in 2016 and has reached around 48 countries around the world.
Data from the US Energy Information Administration show the US remained the world’s leading LNG exporter in 2024, averaging about 11.9 billion cubic feet per day.
