A liquefied natural gas export project co-owned by Qatar won approval from the Trump administration to have its starting date permit extended by three years on Wednesday.

The Golden Pass LNG project in Texas, co-owned by the state-run QatarEnergy LNG and Exxon Mobil Corp, was required to commence operations by November 30, 2026.

Negotiations to extend that date stalled during the previous Biden administration’s clampdown on permits to sell LNG overseas.

The delayed project has now gained approval by the new US administration to ramp up development and start production on November 30, 2029, Bloomberg reported.

The decision aligns with Trump’s policy to supply Asia and other nations with the fuel.

“Exporting US LNG supports American jobs, bolsters our national security and strengthens America’s position as a world energy leader,” US energy secretary Chris Wright said.

The approval comes after President Donald Trump lifted a moratorium issued by the Biden administration on new permits to sell LNG abroad.

Last month, Trump established a National Energy Dominance Council, tasked with expediting projects by cutting red tape and promoting private sector investment. 

He has also lifted a moratorium on liquefied natural gas export permits, aiming to position the US as a leading exporter. 

Worldwide, demand for the relatively clean-burning fuel will rise by around 60 percent by 2040, according to Shell.

Qatar holds a 70 percent stake in the Golden Pass LNG Terminal in Texas. The terminal was initially planned to import Qatari LNG, but it pivoted to exports as the US became self-sufficient in gas.