The Carlyle Group is evaluating a potential equity investment in Commonwealth LNG, a liquefied natural gas export terminal currently under construction in the U.S. Gulf Coast. The move signals growing institutional interest in U.S. energy infrastructure as global demand for LNG rises.
- Commonwealth LNG is a two-train LNG terminal under construction with 12 million tons per year capacity.
- First commercial export expected by late 2027.
- Total project cost estimated at $7.5 billion, with $2.8 billion in equity from Commonwealth Energy.
- Carlyle Group is evaluating an equity stake, potentially strengthening project financing.
- Terminal is strategically located near Sabine Pass to serve Asian and European markets.
- Potential investment reflects growing institutional confidence in U.S. LNG infrastructure.
The Carlyle Group is assessing a potential equity investment in Commonwealth LNG, a major liquefied natural gas export terminal being developed in the U.S. Gulf Coast region. The project, led by Commonwealth Energy, is designed to include two liquefaction trains with a combined capacity of 12 million tons per year, capable of producing approximately 5.2 million tons annually once operational. Construction began in 2023 and is on schedule for first commercial export by late 2027. This development reflects broader investor confidence in U.S. LNG infrastructure, driven by increasing global demand, particularly from Asia and Europe. The project is expected to cost around $7.5 billion in total capital expenditures, with Commonwealth Energy contributing approximately $2.8 billion in equity and securing $4.7 billion in project financing. Carlyle’s potential involvement would bolster the project’s financial foundation and signal institutional validation of its long-term viability. If finalized, the Carlyle investment would represent a significant shift in the project’s ownership structure, potentially increasing its capacity to attract additional private capital and accelerate development timelines. The terminal’s location near the Sabine Pass area positions it to serve key markets in the Asia-Pacific region, where demand for cleaner-burning fuel is rising amid decarbonization efforts. The move could also influence competitive dynamics among U.S. LNG projects, especially those in the Gulf Coast corridor, where several new terminals are in various stages of development. Regulators, state agencies, and environmental stakeholders are monitoring the project’s permitting and compliance efforts, which remain central to its progression.