Developing world won't completely entrust energy security to the US, says Cheniere Energy's CFO (updated)

Cheniere Energy

16/06/2026 22:06

 (Adds quotes and details from second paragraph onward)
    By Curtis Williams
    HOUSTON, June 16 (Reuters) - Cheniere Energy  LNG.N  does
not expect developing countries to rely solely on the U.S. for
their energy security, its Chief Financial Officer, Zach Davis,
said on Tuesday.
 “I don’t see many countries in the developing world, especially
at this moment in time, trusting 100% of their energy security
to the U.S.,” Davis told an engineering, procurement and
construction conference in Houston.
    His comments came as details started to emerge of an interim
deal to end the U.S.-Iran war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a
key waterway that carried roughly 20% of global oil and gas
supplies before it was blocked off by the conflict earlier this
year. Qatar's LNG exports, which flow through the strait, have
been severely disrupted since.
    Davis said diversification of liquefied natural gas supply
is critical for emerging economies, helping ensure affordability
and reduce risks to supply. He added that Qatar plays an
important role in global LNG markets and said Cheniere would
welcome its fuller return, as it would enhance supply diversity.
    Qatar’s LNG is typically priced against Brent crude, unlike
U.S. cargoes which are linked to Henry Hub gas prices, offering
buyers a wider range of pricing options, Davis said.
    Cheniere, the largest LNG exporter in the U.S. and the
world’s second-largest producer, is prioritizing long-term
demand growth over short-term gains from elevated LNG prices, he
added.
    “Creating demand is more important than capturing margins in
the current price environment,” Davis said.
    He said the company remains disciplined in its expansion
strategy, focusing on shareholder value rather than scale.
    While Cheniere has the financial capacity to fund a $20
billion expansion, it has opted to approve a smaller, roughly $6
billion expansion at its Sabine Pass facility.
    “We’re focused on creating value, not chasing the title of
the world’s largest LNG company,” Davis said.
 
 

 (Reporting by Curtis Williams in Houston; Editing by Chizu
Nomiyama and Nathan Crooks and Aurora Ellis)
 ((mailto:Curtis.Williams@thomsonreuters.com; +1 346 324 7560;))