Atlantic LNG infrastructure — equipment suppliers in LATAM and Africa, buyers in the US.

The global liquefied natural gas market is undergoing a structural shift. With US LNG export capacity expanding rapidly and Latin America and Africa holding over 40% of the world’s proved natural gas reserves, the trade corridors between these regions are deepening. For US buyers seeking reliable feedstock and infrastructure components, and for Latin American and African suppliers aiming to enter the US market, navigating the regulatory, logistical, and commercial landscape requires specialized advisory.

This page outlines the key opportunities, compliance requirements, and trade dynamics shaping LNG and natural gas infrastructure trade across the Atlantic.

Why This Vertical Matters for US-LATAM-Africa Trade

Natural gas is the fastest-growing fossil fuel in global energy markets, driven by its lower carbon intensity relative to coal and oil and its role as a backup for intermittent renewables. The United States became the world’s largest LNG exporter in 2023, with export capacity exceeding 11 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) (EIA 2024). Simultaneously, Latin America—led by Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, and Brazil—and Africa—led by Nigeria, Mozambique, and Algeria—are expanding their LNG liquefaction and export infrastructure.

This creates a two-way trade flow: US buyers import LNG from these regions to meet winter demand and peaking needs, while US companies export modular LNG equipment, pipeline materials, and compression technology to support new projects. The vertical spans upstream gas production, midstream liquefaction and pipeline infrastructure, and downstream regasification and distribution assets.

Exporting LNG & Natural Gas Infrastructure to the US

Latin American and African suppliers of LNG and natural gas infrastructure equipment and services have a growing market in the United States. Key products include: modular liquefaction units (mid-scale trains), cryogenic storage tanks, heat exchangers, compressors, valves, and pipeline coatings. US buyers include: (1) LNG terminal operators seeking replacement parts and expansion modules, (2) natural gas utilities upgrading distribution networks, (3) engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) firms building new facilities, and (4) independent power producers integrating gas-fired generation.

For example, the US Gulf Coast is home to over 20 LNG export terminals under construction or planned, representing a $100 billion+ investment pipeline (US Department of Energy 2024). Suppliers from Trinidad and Tobago—a major LNG exporter with over 15 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) capacity—have deep experience in cryogenic technology that is directly applicable to US projects. Similarly, South African manufacturers of heavy steel pipe and valve assemblies are increasingly competitive on cost and quality for US midstream applications.

The key advantage for LATAM and African suppliers is proximity: shipping from Trinidad to the US Gulf Coast takes 3–5 days, versus 20–30 days from the Middle East, reducing logistics costs and carbon footprint.

Importing LNG & Natural Gas Infrastructure from the US

The United States is not only a major LNG exporter but also a world leader in natural gas infrastructure technology and equipment. Latin American and African buyers import a wide range of US-made products: gas turbines and compressor packages (e.g., from GE and Solar Turbines), pipeline inspection and monitoring systems, liquefaction process technology (e.g., ConocoPhillips’ Optimized Cascade), and modular skid-mounted units for small-scale LNG. Use cases include: (1) greenfield LNG export terminals in Mozambique and Nigeria, (2) expansion of Argentina’s Vaca Muerta gas pipeline network, (3) upgrading of aging gas distribution networks in Colombia and Peru, and (4) floating LNG (FLNG) projects off the coast of West Africa.

US exports of LNG-related machinery and equipment totaled $8.3 billion in 2023, with Latin America and Africa accounting for 22% of that total (USITC Dataweb 2024). The competitive edge for US suppliers lies in financing: US Export-Import Bank and development finance institutions offer credit guarantees for US-origin equipment, reducing project risk for buyers.

Regulatory and Compliance Overview

Trade in LNG and natural gas infrastructure is subject to a complex web of US and international regulations. For imports into the US: (1) the Department of Energy (DOE) regulates the import of natural gas under the Natural Gas Act, requiring authorization for long-term contracts; (2) the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) sets standards for cryogenic equipment and pipeline materials; (3) US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) enforces antidumping and countervailing duty orders on certain steel pipe and valve products—for example, welded line pipe from South Africa faces a 14.0% antidumping margin (Federal Register 2023). For exports from the US: (1) DOE authorizes LNG exports to non-FTA countries, with most current licenses valid until 2050; (2) the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) controls certain dual-use technologies (e.g., cryogenic pumps) under the Export Administration Regulations; (3) the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) may apply to specialized military-grade gas turbine components.

Suppliers should also be aware of the Jones Act, which requires goods transported between US ports to be carried on US-built, flagged, and crewed vessels—this can impact shipping logistics for equipment moving from the Gulf Coast to East Coast terminals. A compliance checklist should include: HS code classification (e.g., 8419.50 for heat exchange units, 7305.11 for line pipe), country of origin documentation, and material safety data sheets for cryogenic fluids.

Countries and Trade Corridors Active in This Vertical

Several trade corridors are particularly active in LNG and natural gas infrastructure:

Trinidad and Tobago to the US Gulf Coast: Trinidad is the largest LNG exporter to the US from Latin America, sending 5.3 million tonnes in 2023 (US EIA 2024). The country’s Atlantic LNG facility has deep expertise in mid-scale liquefaction, and its manufacturers supply cryogenic valves and fittings to US terminal operators.

Nigeria to the US East Coast: Nigeria LNG (NLNG) operates six trains with 30 MTPA capacity, and its modular expansion strategy creates demand for US-made compressor packages and control systems. In return, Nigerian steel fabricators export line pipe to US pipeline projects.

Argentina’s Vaca Muerta to the US and Europe: Argentina is building the Vaca Muerta pipeline and a new LNG export terminal at Bahía Blanca. US companies supply high-pressure compressors and pipeline coating services; Argentine manufacturers of modular gas processing units are exploring US market entry.

Mozambique to the US and Asia: Mozambique’s Rovuma Basin LNG projects (TotalEnergies’ Mozambique LNG and ExxonMobil’s Rovuma LNG) represent $50 billion in investment, with US EPC firms supplying equipment and technology. Mozambican suppliers of local content (e.g., concrete, steel structures) are seeking US partners.

Algeria to the US Gulf Coast: Algeria’s Sonatrach operates LNG plants at Skikda and Arzew, and is a key supplier of LNG to the US under long-term contracts. Algerian manufacturers of heat exchangers and cryogenic pumps have quality certifications recognized by US operators.

How Coppermont Advisory Works for This Vertical

Our advisory process for LNG and natural gas infrastructure trade is structured around four phases: (1) Market Assessment—we analyze US demand for specific products, identify buyer segments (terminal operators, EPC firms, utilities), and benchmark pricing and logistics; (2) Regulatory Compliance—we map applicable DOE, PHMSA, BIS, and CBP requirements, prepare authorization applications, and screen for antidumping duties; (3) Partner Matching—we connect LATAM and African suppliers with qualified US buyers through our network of 200+ industry contacts, including site visits and technical evaluations; (4) Transaction Support—we assist with contract negotiation (e.g., tolling agreements, equipment supply contracts), logistics coordination (including Jones Act compliance), and customs clearance. Our team includes former LNG terminal engineers, trade compliance officers, and supply chain specialists with experience in Trinidad and the US Gulf Coast. Whether you are a Trinidadian valve manufacturer seeking US certification or a US utility sourcing regasification equipment from Brazil, we provide end-to-end guidance.