Cheniere Energy Inc. has begun the regulatory process for a major expansion at its Sabine Pass export terminal in Louisiana in a sign the largest U.S. LNG producer sees resurgent demand for the super-chilled fuel lasting well into the future. 

The company noted Thursday that it has pre-filed with FERC to add up to 20 million metric tons/year (mmty) to what is already the largest U.S. liquefied natural gas export facility. Along with existing capacity, and other expansions underway at its Corpus Christi liquefaction plant in South Texas, the Sabine Pass expansion would boost the company’s overall LNG output to nearly 80 mmty, or roughly 20% of global LNG trade in 2022. 

“Over the course of 2022 the focus of the global natural gas industry for both suppliers and consumers...