The NYT has an interesting article on the challenges faced by LNG exporters - and they're not just regulatory. A sample: "Countries around the world are importing drilling expertise and equipment in hopes of cracking open their own gas reserves through the same techniques of hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling that unleashed shale gas production in the United States. Demand for American gas — which would be shipped in a condensed form called liquefied natural gas, or L.N.G. — could easily taper off by the time the new export terminals really get going, some energy specialists say. *** 'It will be easier to export the technology for extracting shale gas than exporting actual gas,' said Jay Hakes, former administrator of the Energy Department’s Energy Information Administration. 'I know the pitch about our price differentials will justify the high costs of L.N.G. We will see. Gas by pipeline is a good deal. L.N.G.? Not so clear.'"