Cheniere Energy has taken advantage of the new availability of natural gas in order to export it as liquefied natural gas, or L. N. G.(Schwartz). The excess availability of natural gas is claimed to be due to natural gas accessed by hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. In this process, shale formations are targeted for their natural gas or oil reserves, unlocking energy sources that were previously inaccessible. These deposits of natural gas, mostly methane, were formed hundreds of millions of years ago when silt and clay deposited at the bottom of bodies of water. Some of the methane formed from organic matter was buried with these sediments and thus became contained in the shale layers which have a low permeability. Because this shale gas is so tightly held, it has to be stimulated so it can be collected, which is where the growing popularity of fracking can be seen. In this process, fractures are stimulated in the shale formations by the injection of pressurized fluids. Networks of fractures provide paths for access of the natural gas (Office of Fossil Energy).

Cheniere Energy’s Sabine Pass terminal is able to export this natural gas to more than 20 different countries (O’ Dowd). This is done after the complex process of liquefaction, where the vapor is chilled to a liquid at -260 degrees Farenheit. It is then transported under pressurized conditions at that temperature before being slowly warmed back into a vapor for delivery (Schwartz). Although Cheniere is currently the only company in the United States actively exporting natural gas, many new export terminals are being built, hinting at the growth of this market (O’Dowd). President Trump has strongly supported export of liquefied natural gas, and has linked this developing market to trade policy and growing international influence to counter that of Russia. This view of natural gas, and the promise of decreased regulation, can give it the platform to become an even more of a booming market and energy source (Schwartz).

O’Dowd, Peter. “With Natural Gas Booming, Race Is On To Export It To The World.” With Natural Gas Booming, Race Is On To Export It To The World | Here & Now, Wbur, 13 June 2017, www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2017/06/13/natural-gas-exports.

Schwartz, Nelson D. “How Cheniere Energy Decided to Take a Gamble on Liquified Natural Gas.” New York Times, 16 Oct. 2017, www.nytimes.com/2017/10/16/business/energy-environment/cheniere-energy-liquified-natural-gas.html.

“Shale Gas 101.” Department of Energy, Office of Fossil Energy, energy.gov/fe/shale-gas-101.