U.S. LNG exporters have filled the void left by Qatar's disrupted output, keeping global seaborne volumes at record highs. The surge comes as U.S. plants run at full capacity to offset a 17% loss in Qatar's export capacity. Following Iranian attacks on Qatar's LNG facilities, the country's liquefaction capacity was cut by 17% for up to five years, according to QatarEnergy 's CEO, creating a supply gap that U.S. exporters are temporarily covering. Key Data According to Kpler , U.S. exporters are on track to load 32.15 million metric tons of LNG in the first four months of 2026, a 28% increase from the same period in 2025 and the largest year‑over‑year jump since 2020. The U.S. has shipped roughly 7 million metric tons more this year than Qatar's 6.93‑million‑ton decline, pushing global seaborne volumes to 149 million tons, up 6% YoY, with the U.S. representing 18% of the total. The Sabine Pass terminal, owned by Cheniere Energy , handled about 25% of U.S. LNG exports in Q1, while the Venture Global ‑owned Plaquemines LNG terminal posted a 240% YoY increase, loading nearly 6.5 million tons in Q1, up from under 2 million in 2025. Data from LSEG confirms Sabine Pass's share of U.S. exports. Outlook However, maintenance needs and the looming hurricane season could force U.S. exporters to curtail output, potentially tightening global LNG markets. European demand is expected to soften as mild temperatures reduce heating needs, but inventories remain low at 30% full, leaving room for U.S. exporters to maintain volumes through the winter.