The Biden administration’s temporary pause on new U.S LNG export permits has for now derailed an anticipated wave of new volumes that was expected to hit the market later this decade, prompting major global gas buyers to explore other options.

Asia and Europe have increasingly relied on the United States for a large portion of their liquefied natural gas supply, which has been helping to drive investments in the industry. U.S. exporters shipped 56.4 million tons (Mt) to Europe last year and 23.6 Mt to Asia, according to Kpler data.

However, whether those export trends continue at the current breakneck pace could be in question given the U.S. regulatory pause. The Department of Energy’s (DOE) suspension of new export permits while it reviews authorization policies could...