Sept 8 (Reuters) - U.S.-based energy company EQT Corp (EQT.N) , opens new tab will purchase 1 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of liquefied natural gas from Commonwealth LNG's export facility under development on the Gulf Coast near Cameron, Louisiana, for 20 years, the companies said on Monday.

EQT said it will acquire the LNG on a free-on-board basis at a price indexed to Henry Hub and will market and optimize its cargos internationally.

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The additional export capacity will allow EQT to further expand its domestic direct-to-customer strategy into the global energy markets, the company said in a statement.

Last week, Commonwealth LNG secured final non-free trade agreement export authorization from the U.S. Department of Energy for its export facility in Louisiana.

Commonwealth's facility is designed to produce 9.5 million tonnes of LNG annually and received approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in June.

The company plans to make a final investment decision in the fourth quarter of this year, with first production targeted for 2029.

The United States has been working to cement its position as the world's biggest exporter of LNG, surpassing previous leaders Qatar and Australia.

In January, President Donald Trump lifted a pause on new LNG export permits, which had been imposed by the previous administration in 2024 to review public interest criteria, shortly after assuming office.

EQT recently signed a similar 20-year deal with NextDecade (NEXT.O) , opens new tab to purchase 1.5 mtpa of LNG from its Rio Grande export facility in Texas.

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/eqt-corp-signs-20-year-lng-deal-with-commonwealth-lngs-louisiana-facility-2025-09-08/