Russia's LNG Output Seen Reaching 44 Million Tonnes in 2026, Up From Earlier Estimate

Russia's production of liquefied natural gas (LNG) could reach 44 million metric tons in 2026, according to an updated outlook reported by TASS, a figure notably higher than an earlier forecast for the country's LNG exports alone.

The new projection builds on a previous government forecast for Russia's socioeconomic development, which had put expected LNG exports at 35 million metric tons for the same year. TASS did not specify which officials or agencies produced the revised 44 million ton figure, nor did it detail the reasons for the upward revision.

Growing push into global LNG markets

Russia has sought to expand its LNG sector in recent years as part of a broader strategy to diversify energy exports and capture a larger share of a global market increasingly shaped by competition from producers such as the United States, Qatar and Australia. Western sanctions imposed over the war in Ukraine have complicated parts of Russia's LNG expansion plans, including access to specialized shipbuilding and liquefaction technology for large-scale projects.

Production and export figures are not always identical, since some output can be consumed domestically or held in storage, which may help explain why the new production estimate exceeds the earlier export-specific forecast.

TASS's report did not include a breakdown of which Russian LNG facilities are expected to contribute to the 2026 total.