Letter from China: LNG deals show pragmatism in US-China ties
A US LNG project developer has signed the first long-term supply contracts with a Chinese buyer in nearly four years
Recent long-term LNG deals between the US and China suggest that the two rivals can still cooperate if interests align. Venture Global LNG—developer of the 10mn t/yr Calcasieu Pass and 20mn t/yr Plaquemines export facilities in Louisiana—signed two sales-and-purchase agreements (SPAs) with China’s state-controlled Sinopec, according to a letter the American company filed with the US Department of Energy at the start of October. The 20-year deals, one for 2.8mn t/yr and the other for 1.2mn t/yr, are by far the largest contracts by volume for US LNG agreed to by a single Chinese entity. Venture Global also signed a three-year deal to supply 1mn t/yr to Unipec, the trading arm of Sinopec, from
Also in this section
1 April 2026
Golden Pass’s startup offers QatarEnergy a timely boost but may also force a difficult choice between honouring disrupted contracts and capitalising on soaring spot LNG prices
1 April 2026
It is not a case of if or when, but the length and magnitude of economic damage from elevated oil prices
1 April 2026
The US-Iran conflict demonstrates the need for diversification in several senses of the word. It also exposes the limits of Washington applying pressure on major oil and gas producers it considers geopolitical adversaries
31 March 2026
Disappointing results in its bidding round are a reality check for Libya, and global exploration generally






