Woodside greenlights $17.5 billion investment in Louisiana
Another multi-billion dollar investment announced in Louisiana.
On April 29, 2025, Woodside Energy, Australia’s leading gas producer, greenlit a $17.5 billion investment in the Louisiana LNG project, a transformative step for American energy dominance. This three-train, 16.5 million ton per annum (Mtpa) facility in Calcasieu Parish, targeting first LNG in 2029, positions the U.S. as a global LNG powerhouse while delivering economic and strategic benefits.
The project, acquired from Tellurian for $1.2 billion in 2024, is a bold play to leverage America’s abundant, low-cost natural gas. With a 40-year asset lifespan and an expected $2 billion in annual net operating cash flow in the 2030s, Louisiana LNG promises strong returns, boasting a 13% internal rate of return and a seven-year payback period. Stonepeak’s $5.7 billion investment for a 40% stake underscores the project’s financial appeal, funding 75% of capital expenditure in 2025 and 2026.
A recent gas supply agreement with BP, securing up to 640 billion cubic feet of low-methane-intensity gas, ensures reliable feedstocks from diverse U.S. basins like Haynesville. This deal, paired with a 1 Mtpa offtake agreement with Germany’s Uniper, signals robust global demand, particularly in Europe and Asia, where LNG supports energy security and decarbonization.
Louisiana LNG is a historic milestone—the largest single foreign direct investment in Louisiana’s history and the first U.S. greenfield LNG project to reach final investment decision since July 2023. It aligns with a pro-fossil fuel U.S. administration’s push for energy independence, with Governor Jeff Landry hailing it as a cornerstone of “American Energy Dominance.” The project will create jobs, boost local economies, and strengthen U.S. influence in global energy markets.
By tapping into America’s shale gas wealth, Woodside’s investment cements the U.S. as the world’s top LNG exporter. With a permitted capacity of 27.6 Mtpa and expansion potential, Louisiana LNG will help Woodside control over 5% of global LNG supply by the 2030s, meeting rising demand while showcasing U.S. energy leadership.
This is a moment to celebrate. Louisiana LNG isn’t just a win for Woodside—it’s a triumph for American ingenuity, resource abundance, and economic strength.
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