April 08, 2026 [Reuters]- Freeport LNG has asked U.S. regulators for permission to demolish facilities in Texas ​that were previously used to import liquefied natural gas, ​according to a regulatory filing.

While the U.S. was ⁠once a major importer of the fuel, the shale revolution ​transformed the domestic gas market and turned the country into ​the world’s largest LNG exporter. Freeport has not imported LNG since 2011.

“As the terminal has been operated exclusively for the purpose of liquefying ​natural gas and exporting LNG, and has not regasified ​imported LNG for well over a decade, Freeport LNG proposes to decommission, ‌disconnect, ⁠and/or demolish certain obsolete facilities,” the company told the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Freeport, the third largest LNG exporter in the U.S., said it wants FERC approval for the project ​by the end ​of this ⁠year, adding that removing the unused infrastructure would enhance operational safety and significantly reduce the ​time employees spend maintaining and inspecting non-operational ​assets.

“It will ⁠allow employees to instead focus on the safe maintenance and operation of those facilities currently in use,” the company said.

Freeport ⁠told ​regulators it plans to physically disconnect ​the regasification facilities from its liquefaction assets, with demolition to follow.