So do you see it more likely we become exporters of bulk plastic feedstock, for example?
Not just feedstock but product as well.
There are several ethane crackers and the like coming on line the next couple years.
It cost $3~5/MMBTU to go to LNG, transport and back (depending on distance, etc)
Since we are the supply for the feed and the demand for the product in mostly automated processes, we will have significant economic advantage.
But methane is not a major component of the plastics. It is mostly the natural gas liquids like ethane and propane that get converted to items like polyethylene and polypropylene.
LNG is straight methane. Those NGLs come out in the liquefaction process, if not separated already. Exporting LNG (pure methane) results in increased supply of NGLs domestically. Some will get exported as well, until our petrochemical industry catches up. They don’t want to build prior to a decent supply.