What are the best LNG stocks to buy?

Although state-owned companies are a force in the LNG market, they’re not alone. Several publicly traded energy companies rank among the largest producers in the LNG market. Here are seven top options for investors to consider: Cheniere Energy: It's the leader in producing and exporting LNG in the U.S. ConocoPhillips: The U.S. oil and gas giant has a large and growing global LNG portfolio. ExxonMobil: The U.S.-based supermajor has interests in LNG projects worldwide. Shell: It's a world leader in LNG. Its integrated business includes gas supply, LNG export and import infrastructure, and a leading marketing operation. TotalEnergies: It's a leading player in the global LNG market. Chevron: The U.S.-based energy supermajor has interests in several global LNG projects. Venture Global: The U.S. LNG producer has three projects in operation, under construction, or in development, with a total production capacity of over 100 MTPA once fully developed.

Who is the largest producer of LNG?

The U.S. had the largest operating LNG capacity in 2025 at 102.3 million metric tons, according to Statista. That was ahead of Australia (81.8) and Qatar (77.1).

Who is the largest exporter of liquefied natural gas?

The U.S. was the largest LNG exporter in 2025. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, it exported 15 billion cubic feet per day, putting it ahead of Australia and Qatar.

What is liquefied natural gas?

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is natural gas cooled to a liquid state. Liquefaction facilities cool the gas to roughly -260° Fahrenheit. Once the gas becomes a liquid, it can be stored or transported by specialized gas-carrying ships to global export markets, where it can be re-gasified and moved through the local pipeline system.

How can investors reduce risk when investing in LNG stocks?

The best way to reduce risk when investing in LNG stocks is to buy shares of an integrated energy company. Companies like Shell, ExxonMobil, Chevron, and TotalEnergies have diversified businesses spanning upstream production and downstream refining and marketing. This integration and diversification help reduce their risk profiles compared to companies focused solely on LNG.

How often does LNG pay dividends?

Most LNG producers that pay dividends do so quarterly.

How volatile are LNG stocks?

LNG stocks tend to be more volatile than the S&P 500 due to the high volatility of oil and LNG prices.

7 Best Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Stocks for 2026 and How to Invest

By Matthew DiLallo – Updated Aug 17, 2026 at 2:39 PM EST | Fact-checked by Frank Bass

Key Points

Investing in LNG stocks taps into the rising global demand for this cleaner-burning fuel.
Top LNG producers like Shell and Cheniere are poised to profit, fueled by long-term LNG demand growth.
Shell estimates global LNG demand will surge 65% by 2050, driven by Asia, which underpins a solid long-term investment case.

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7 top liquefied natural gas (LNG) stocks for 2026

Several energy companies have invested in developing LNG export terminals. These seven publicly traded companies rank as global leaders, making them the top options for investors seeking LNG-fueled growth.

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Ticker Information Table
Name and ticker	Market capMarket cap calculated using publicly traded shares outstanding only. Does not include unlisted, private, or dual-class non-traded shares. Implied market cap may vary.	Dividend yield	Industry
ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP)	$163.6 billion	2.47%	Oil, Gas and Consumable Fuels
Cheniere Energy (NYSE:LNG)	$60.7 billion	0.75%	Oil, Gas and Consumable Fuels
ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM)	$676.6 billion	2.50%	Oil, Gas and Consumable Fuels
Shell Plc (NYSE:SHEL)	$257.7 billion	3.23%	Oil, Gas and Consumable Fuels
TotalEnergies (NYSE:TTE)	N/A	N/A	Oil, Gas and Consumable Fuels
Chevron (NYSE:CVX)	$417.0 billion	3.34%	Oil, Gas and Consumable Fuels
Venture Global (NYSE:VG)	$37.8 billion	0.46%	Oil, Gas and Consumable Fuels

Data as of Sep 2, 2026. Showing 7 of 7 total entries.

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1. Cheniere Energy

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NYSE: LNG

Cheniere Energy

Premium Feature

Moneyball Superscore

81/100

Today's Change

(0.59%) $1.73

Current Price

$295.86

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$61B

Day's Range

$287.76 - $297.92

52wk Range

$186.20 - $300.89

Volume

2.6M

Avg Vol

1.9M

Gross Margin

31.99%

Dividend Yield

0.75%

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In 2016, Cheniere Energy (LNG +0.59%) became the first company to export LNG from the lower 48 states. It has invested more than $50 billion to become the leading U.S. LNG producer and the second-largest global producer. The company operates two LNG facilities along the U.S. Gulf Coast that export gas to foreign buyers:

Sabine Pass: Located in Louisiana, the LNG facility has six fully operational liquefaction units, or "trains." Sabine Pass has the capacity to produce about 30 million metric tons per annum (MTPA) of LNG. The company has initiated the permitting process to potentially expand that facility by an additional 20 MTPA. It hopes to approve its next expansion phase by 2026.
Corpus Christi: This Texas facility currently has over 24 MTPA of export capacity. Cheniere is actively expanding this facility. It has 6 MTPA under construction or in commissioning and up to 24 MTPA in development.

Cheniere Energy sells roughly 90% of its LNG to foreign buyers, such as utilities, under long-term, fixed-fee contracts. The company's contracted volumes provide it with a predictable cash flow. It uses the money to repay debt, invest in expanding operations (e.g., Corpus Christi Midscale Trains 8 & 9), and reward shareholders through dividends and share repurchases.

Cheniere plans to deploy more than $25 billion of its available cash towards accretive growth, share repurchases, balance sheet management, and dividends through 2030. That supports its aim to generate more than $30 per share of distributable cash flow by the end of 2030.

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2. ConocoPhillips

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NYSE: COP

ConocoPhillips

Premium Feature

Moneyball Superscore

77/100

Today's Change

(0.74%) $1.01

Current Price

$137.20

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$164B

Day's Range

$134.65 - $137.37

52wk Range

$85.57 - $137.37

Volume

Avg Vol

7.1M

Gross Margin

27.18%

Dividend Yield

2.47%

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ConocoPhillips (COP +0.74%) is becoming a major player in the global LNG market. The U.S. oil and gas giant owns interests in LNG production facilities in Australia, Qatar, and Equatorial Guinea.

The company is actively expanding its global LNG portfolio. It has a 30% interest in Port Arthur LNG, which should start up in 2027. It's also an investor in two new LNG expansions in Qatar (North Field South and North Field East), which have experienced minor delays due to the war. Additionally, the company has signed LNG purchase agreements for projects on the U.S. Gulf Coast and the west coast of Mexico. It has also signed regasification agreements in Europe and sales contracts in Asia, and signed a 30-year supply deal in 2026 to support phase one of the Alaska LNG project.

ConocoPhillips' investments in LNG will help fuel considerable growth in free cash flow, adding $1 billion to its annual total in both 2027 and 2028 as its trio of projects start production.

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3. ExxonMobil

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NYSE: XOM

ExxonMobil

Premium Feature

Moneyball Superscore

70/100

Today's Change

(-0.24%) $-0.40

Current Price

$164.15

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$677B

Day's Range

$162.76 - $165.02

52wk Range

$108.35 - $176.41

Volume

11.3M

Avg Vol

15.5M

Gross Margin

20.88%

Dividend Yield

2.50%

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ExxonMobil (XOM -0.24%) is a global leader in LNG. The oil and gas giant holds interests in several LNG projects worldwide that produce 23 million tons per year. Notable investments include ownership interests in Gorgon LNG and PNG in Papua New Guinea, as well as several LNG trains in Qatar.

LNG is one of ExxonMobil’s four strategic investment focus areas. The company is investing in several projects to expand its global capacity to 27 MTPA. One notable investment is the more than $10 billion Golden Pass LNG project in the U.S. The joint venture with QatarEnergy will have the capacity to export about 18 million tons of LNG per year. It started shipping LNG in April 2026, becoming the 9th U.S. LNG export terminal.

ExxonMobil is also working with QatarEnergy, Shell, ConocoPhillips, TotalEnergies, and others to expand Qatar's North Field. The two-phase expansion will feature six LNG trains, increasing capacity from 77 MTPA to 126 MTPA by 2027. The first phase will cost an estimated $30 billion. Meanwhile, in late 2025, the company's partner in Australia's Gorgon project, Chevron (CVX +0.35%), approved the $2 billion Gorgon Stage 3 project. It also joined ConocoPhillips in signing a gas supply deal to support the Alaska LNG project.

These investments will enable the oil giant to achieve its bold goal of roughly doubling its LNG business to 40 million tons per year by 2030. Meanwhile, Exxon expects new LNG project start-ups in Papua New Guinea and Mozambique to fuel growth beyond 2030. The company and its partners expect to make a Final Investment Decision on the $30 billion Rovuma LNG project in Mozambique by the end of 2026. It also expects to approve its Papua project by the end of the year.

4. Shell

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NYSE: SHEL

Shell Plc

Premium Feature

Moneyball Superscore

70/100

Today's Change

(-0.76%) $-0.71

Current Price

$92.80

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$258B

Day's Range

$92.63 - $93.67

52wk Range

$68.63 - $94.90

Volume

8.2M

Avg Vol

6.4M

Gross Margin

18.12%

Dividend Yield

3.23%

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Shell (SHEL -0.76%) was an early pioneer in the LNG market and has grown into a dominant force over the years. The company has LNG supply projects in 10 nations, representing about 44 million tons of capacity and meeting aroud 16% of global demand. It also has interests in a couple of regasification plants that turn LNG back into gas so it can flow through local pipeline systems.

Shell operates an integrated gas business. It controls supply by producing gas from various fields. The company also operates LNG export facilities and markets LNG -- from its own facilities and from third-party facilities -- to customers around the world. The combination enables Shell to keep costs low, maximizing the value of the LNG it produces.

Shell is actively expanding its leading global LNG business. It aims to add up to 6.4 million tons of capacity by the end of the decade. It has projects underway in Qatar, Nigeria, and the UAE. Shell is also a partner with Exxon and Chevron in the Gorgon project. Addtionally, Shell and its partners expect to approve the phase 2 expansion of their LNG Canada facility by the end of 2026, doubling its capacity. Once complete, they'll help extend the company's dominance in the global LNG market.

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5. TotalEnergies

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NYSE: TTE

TotalEnergies

Today's Change

(0.00%) $0.00

Current Price

$0.00

Key Data Points

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TotalEnergies (TTE -0.14%) has made LNG a priority in recent years. The French energy giant focuses on investing in renewable energy, electricity, and natural gas. It aims to have gas -- natural gas, hydrogen, and biogas -- supply 50% of its energy mix by 2030.

TotalEnergies has acquired and developed several LNG projects over the past few years. The investments pushed it up the global rankings for production capacity. Combined with its third-party supply agreements, it was the world's third-largest LNG player.

TotalEnergies expects to continue expanding its LNG empire in the coming years. It joined forces with GIP and NextDecade (NEXT -2.36%) to participate in the Rio Grande LNG project in the U.S., which will grow its capacity from 12 MTPA to more than 15 MTPA by 2030. It also took a 16.6% stake in the Energia Costa Azul LNG project in Mexico. Additionally, the company resumed development of a massive $20 billion LNG project in Mozambique in early 2026, which it expects will begin producing by 2029. Finally, it agreed to a long-term offtake agreement for 2 MTPA of LNG from the proposed Alaska LNG project in early 2026.

6. Chevron

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NYSE: CVX

Chevron

Premium Feature

Moneyball Superscore

68/100

Today's Change

(0.35%) $0.73

Current Price

$211.78

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$417B

Day's Range

$209.46 - $212.79

52wk Range

$146.49 - $214.71

Volume

7.6M

Avg Vol

8.4M

Gross Margin

18.48%

Dividend Yield

3.34%

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Chevron is a major player in the global LNG market. It operates the Gorgon and Wheatstone LNG projects in Australia, making it a major LNG supplier to Japan. It also holds an interest in Angola LNG, one of Africa's largest energy projects and Angola's first LNG project. Additionally, the company operate the Leviathan gas field offshore Israel, including a floating LNG terminal.

Chevron also has LNG contracts with several third-party terminals along the U.S. Gulf Coast. These agreements will enable it to export 7 million metric tons of LNG per year from the U.S. Gulf Coast starting in 2026.

7. Venture Global

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NYSE: VG

Venture Global

Premium Feature

Moneyball Superscore

70/100

Today's Change

(-2.52%) $-0.38

Current Price

$14.73

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$38B

Day's Range

$14.27 - $14.97

52wk Range

$5.72 - $17.62

Volume

14M

Avg Vol

14.2M

Gross Margin

47.80%

Dividend Yield

0.46%

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Venture Global is a leading U.S. producer and exporter of LNG. It began producing LNG from its first facility in 2022. It has three projects -- Calcasieu Pass, Plaquemines, and CP2 -- that could eventually produce over 100 MTPA of LNG once fully developed.

The company is producing LNG from Calcasieu Pass and Plaquemines. It's currently expanding Plaquemines, with its completion expected for phase 1 by the fourth quarter of 2026 and phase two by mid-2027. It's also evaluating another expansion that it could approve in the first half of 2027, with production starting in 2029. Venture Global is also constructing CP2, putting it on track to start producing LNG in the second half of 2027. Meanwhile, it's targeting an expansion of CP2 that it could approve in early 2027, with first production possible by late 2028. These expansion projects give Venture Global visible LNG-fueled growth over the next several years.

How to buy liquefied natural gas (LNG) Stocks

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to invest in LNG stocks:

Open your brokerage app: Log in to your brokerage account where you handle your investments. If you don't have one yet, take a look at our favorite brokers and trading platforms to find the right one for you.
Search for the stock: Enter the ticker or company name into the search bar to bring up the stock's trading page.
Decide how many shares to buy: Consider your investment goals and how much of your portfolio you want to allocate to this stock.
Select order type: Choose between a market order to buy at the current price or a limit order to specify the maximum price you're willing to pay.
Submit your order: Confirm the details and submit your buy order.
Review your purchase: Check your portfolio to ensure your order was filled as expected and adjust your investment strategy accordingly.

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Benefits and risks of investing in liquefied natural gas stocks

Investing in LNG stocks has its pros and cons. Some of the benefits include:

Growth potential: Demand for LNG is on pace to grow 65% by 2050.
Dividend income: LNG facilities tend to generate stable cash flow backed by long-term contracts. As a result, many LNG producers pay high-yielding and steadily rising dividends.
Lower carbon: LNG is a much lower-carbon fuel than coal or oil.

Meanwhile, some of the risks of investing in these stocks include:

Overinvestment: Several companies are either building or have proposed to build new LNG export terminals around the world. If the industry builds too many facilities, it could cause LNG supply to outpace demand, weighing on sector pricing and investment returns.
Commodity prices: LNG prices can be volatile. That can reduce the cash flows of LNG production not secured by long-term, fixed-rate contracts. It can also cause companies to delay LNG expansion projects.
Cost overruns: LNG projects are costly and take a long time to build, increasing the risk of cost overruns that can reduce returns.

Methodology: How these stocks were chosen

Several oil and gas producers and energy infrastructure companies have invested in LNG export projects. This group of companies has emerged as leaders in the global LNG market. Their leadership position and visible LNG growth make them the best investment options for investors seeking exposure to the sector.

Should you invest in liquified natural gas (LNG) stocks?

The world's economies will need a growing supply of cleaner fuels in the decades ahead to help combat climate change. Due to its abundance and lower carbon emissions when burned, natural gas appears poised to provide a significant share of that supply. LNG gives it the global access needed to reach key markets, including energy-hungry Asian nations. Demand could grow significantly in the coming years, especially from sources outside the Persian Gulf, amid the potential for another Iranian-driven supply disruption. These factors make LNG stocks a potentially compelling long-term investment opportunity.

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Investing in LNG stocks: FAQ

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About the Author

Matt DiLallo has been a contributing Motley Fool stock analyst specializing in the energy, industrials, and real estate sectors since 2012. He also covers dividend-paying stocks, pre-IPO companies, ETFs, and other investing topics. He holds an MBA from Liberty University.

TMFmd19

@MatthewDiLallo

Matt DiLallo has positions in Chevron and ConocoPhillips. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Cheniere Energy and Chevron. The Motley Fool recommends ConocoPhillips. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

7 Best Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Stocks for 2026 and How to Invest

Key Points

7 top liquefied natural gas (LNG) stocks for 2026

1. Cheniere Energy

Key Data Points

2. ConocoPhillips

Key Data Points

3. ExxonMobil

Key Data Points

4. Shell

Key Data Points

5. TotalEnergies

Key Data Points

6. Chevron

Key Data Points

7. Venture Global

Key Data Points

How to buy liquefied natural gas (LNG) Stocks

Benefits and risks of investing in liquefied natural gas stocks

Methodology: How these stocks were chosen

Should you invest in liquified natural gas (LNG) stocks?

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Investing in LNG stocks: FAQ

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Investing in LNG stocks: FAQ

What are the best LNG stocks to buy?

Who is the largest producer of LNG?

Who is the largest exporter of liquefied natural gas?

What is liquefied natural gas?

How can investors reduce risk when investing in LNG stocks?

How often does LNG pay dividends?

How volatile are LNG stocks?

1. Cheniere Energy

2. ConocoPhillips

3. ExxonMobil

5. TotalEnergies

7. Venture Global

How to buy liquefied natural gas (LNG) Stocks

Benefits and risks of investing in liquefied natural gas stocks

Methodology: How these stocks were chosen

Should you invest in liquified natural gas (LNG) stocks?

Related investing topics

7 top liquefied natural gas (LNG) stocks for 2026

Key Data Points

4. Shell

6. Chevron

Key Data Points

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