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An arbitration tribunal found that Venture Global declared commercial operations at Calcasieu Pass late under its contract with Galp; damages, capped at $170 million, wait for a hearing expected in 2027 or 2028, and Venture Global says it is evaluating all available options. At McNeese, Loren Scott repeated his forecast of 6,000 new Southwest Louisiana jobs over two years while naming tariffs as the drag on national growth. No item cleared the story bar and no LNG project changed status, so the jobs tracker and the LNG board carry this edition.
Covers Oct 6 to 9, 2026
Real jobs from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, month by month, next to Dr. Loren Scott's forecast for 2026 to 2028 (published October 2026). Every story below says where it lands against these numbers.
Jan to Aug 2026 averaged 106.4k jobs, up 1.4% on the same months of 2025. Scott's 2026 estimate is 106.9k; his 2027 target is 109.8k (+2,900 jobs).
| Month | Jobs (BLS) | Scott, that year's average |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 2026 | 106.5k (preliminary) | 106.9k |
| Jul 2026 | 106.8k | 106.9k |
| Jun 2026 | 107.0k | 106.9k |
| May 2026 | 107.0k | 106.9k |
| Apr 2026 | 106.8k | 106.9k |
| Mar 2026 | 106.3k | 106.9k |
| Feb 2026 | 105.7k | 106.9k |
| Jan 2026 | 105.1k | 106.9k |
| Dec 2025 | 106.5k | |
| Nov 2025 | 106.5k | |
| Oct 2025 | 106.2k | |
| Sep 2025 | 104.8k | |
| Aug 2025 | 105.3k | |
| Jul 2025 | 105.0k | |
| Jun 2025 | 105.8k | |
| May 2025 | 105.6k | |
| Apr 2025 | 105.1k | |
| Mar 2025 | 104.6k | |
| Feb 2025 | 104.6k | |
| Jan 2025 | 103.1k | |
| Dec 2024 | 104.0k | |
| Nov 2024 | 104.7k | |
| Oct 2024 | 104.9k | |
| Sep 2024 | 104.5k | |
| Aug 2024 | 104.8k | |
| Jul 2024 | 103.9k | |
| Jun 2024 | 104.8k | |
| May 2024 | 104.8k | |
| Apr 2024 | 105.0k | |
| Mar 2024 | 104.0k | |
| Feb 2024 | 103.5k | |
| Jan 2024 | 102.2k | |
| Dec 2023 | 103.2k | |
| Nov 2023 | 103.5k | |
| Oct 2023 | 103.6k | |
| Sep 2023 | 103.1k |
| Actual jobs, BLS | Scott's forecast, annual average | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Region | 2026 so far Jan to Aug avg | vs 2025 same months | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | Jobs added 2026 to 2028 |
| Louisiana | 2,006.1k | +0.8% | 2,007.8k | 2,034.9k | 2,062.8k | +55,000 2.7% |
| Lake Charles#1 in % growth, #3 in jobs | 106.4k | +1.4% | 106.9k | 109.8k | 112.9k | +6,000 5.5% |
| Baton Rouge#1 in jobs, #3 in % | 438.1k | +1.8% | 438.6k | 447.1k | 455.1k | +16,500 |
| New Orleans#9 in % | 470.6k | −0.5% | 473.6k | 476.6k | 479.8k | +6,200 1.3% |
| Lafayette#4 in jobs, #6 in % | 189.1k | +0.7% | 189.0k | 191.3k | 194.6k | +5,600 2.9% |
| Shreveport-Bossier#5 in jobs, #7 in % | 171.2k | 0.0% | 171.6k | 174.1k | 176.4k | +4,800 2.8% |
| Monroe#2 in % | 92.5k | +1.2% | 93.3k | 95.3k | 97.5k | +4,200 4.5% |
| Houma#7 in jobs, #4 in % | 85.7k | −0.6% | 85.8k | 87.0k | 88.5k | +2,700 3.1% |
| Alexandria#8 in jobs, #5 in % | 62.2k | −0.2% | 62.6k | 63.6k | 64.4k | +1,800 2.9% |
| St. Tammany#9 in jobs, #10 in % | 102.8k | +0.9% | 102.9k | 103.4k | 103.9k | +1,000 1% |
| Hammond#10 in jobs, #8 in % | 49.5k | +0.1% | 49.8k | 50.2k | 50.6k | +800 1.6% |
Forecast: Dr. Loren C. Scott, Loren C. Scott & Associates, Louisiana Economic Forecast: State and MSAs 2027 and 2028, presented at McNeese State University, Lake Charles, 2026-10-07 (Alliance SWLA State of the Economy). Jobs: BLS Current Employment Statistics, not seasonally adjusted. Tracker built 2026-10-09.
Ranked on three scores, 1 to 5: local impact (money, jobs or costs here), forecast weight (does it move the projections) and confidence. A story needs 9 of 15.
Every Louisiana LNG export project, where it stands and the last dated thing that happened to it, as of Oct 9, 2026. A row changes only when a cited source moves it.
Phase 1 FID Jul 2025, Phase 2 FID and $8.6B financing Mar 13, 2026 (total CP2 financing $20.7B); 16 modules on site, first LNG targeted 2H 2027. 29 MTPA peak per VG; other reports say 28.
Scott's forecast$33B for two phases incl. 91-mile CP Express pipeline, 400 jobs (p.88). Cost is Scott's figure, not re-verified from a primary source.
FID Apr 2025; 28% complete at end Q2 2026 (T1 35%, T2 25%, T3 18%); first LNG targeted 2029. Three-train foundation phase.
Scott's forecastFID Apr 2025, $17.2B (p.88); cost rose from $16B on tariffs (p.22). Woodside now states $17.5B.
FID and $9.75B project financing closed May 15, 2026; Phase 1 operations expected 2030.
Scott's forecastFID May 2026, $13B, online 2030 (p.88). Other outlets say $13B; OGJ says $13.5B.
Offshore, in federal waters. FID on first FLNG Jun 4, 2026 ($5B); Samsung Heavy builds vessel, exports from 2030. Up to three FLNGs, 13.2 MTPA total.
Scott's forecastSays first of FOUR FLNGs, second FID by yearend (p.88-89); company sources say up to three units, 13.2 MTPA.
No 2026 milestone found; VG's Q2 2026 release does not mention CP3. Earlier reporting: $44-45B, FID by 2027, start-up 2031. VG's 2026 filings describe a CP2 Expansion instead; CP3 may be that project renamed, not confirmed.
Scott's forecast$44B, DOE non-FTA permission already granted, 'high probability' of FID soon (p.90). Neither the DOE grant nor an FID date is confirmed in 2026 sources.
FERC extended construction deadline to Mar 2033 (Nov 2025); DOE extended export commencement deadline to Mar 2033 (Apr 2026). FID still needs partner consents, EPC selection, offtake; Sempra has flagged possible delay for cost headwinds. 6.75 MTPA train plus up to about 1 MTPA debottlenecking.
Scott's forecast4th train, no dollar amount (Scott guesses $4-6B), FERC deadline Mar 16, 2033, FID may fall outside forecast period (p.91). Consistent with filings.
Offshore, in federal waters. Limited notice to proceed to Siemens Energy; MidOcean (EIG) may take up to 50% equity; FID targeted end of 2026. Capacity assumed same design as FLNG1.
Scott's forecastFID on second FLNG projected by yearend (p.89).
FERC final EIS issued for Stage 5 (trains 7-9, about 16.83 MTPA added per FERC); no FID found. Existing Sabine Pass plant operating. Exact FERC dates not captured.
Scott's forecastScott: Cheniere 7th train at its present site, $4.7-6B, FID expected next year (p.91).
Commercial operations began Apr 15, 2025; 37 cargoes in Q2 2026, 149-154 cargoes guided for 2026. On Oct 7, 2026 an ICC tribunal, by majority with one arbitrator dissenting, found Venture Global breached its duty to declare commercial operations on time under its long-term sale agreement with Galp; damages go to a hearing expected in 2027 or 2028 and are capped at $170 million.
Scott's forecastDescribed as operating, one of three LNG export facilities in the Lake Charles MSA (p.86); initial facility named p.90.
Operating three-train Phase 1; Sempra 10-Q 2026 treats it as an operating facility. The 12 MTPA figure is general knowledge, not re-verified.
Scott's forecastOnly Cameron LNG is in the SLCUC manpower survey (p.93).
FERC and DOE non-FTA applications filed 2026; VG targets FID early 2027, first production late 2028. The 11.7 MTPA figure is from a secondary report, not VG's release.
Scott's forecastNot mentioned by name; Scott lists CP3 instead (see CP3).
Per Scott, asked FERC for a 5-year extension in Jan 2026; no non-FTA export authorization. No primary 2026 source found.
Scott's forecast'A project we consider dead' (p.91).
Pre-FEED done, McDermott selected for FEED, ConocoPhillips process; DOE semi-annual report Oct 2025-Mar 2026. 5.2 MTPA is an MOU volume per Scott. Parish location not confirmed.
Scott's forecastRanked low probability (p.91).
Energy Transfer suspended development Dec 18, 2025 to focus on pipelines; open to a third-party developer but unlikely to commit capital itself.
Scott's forecastSays Energy Transfer 'scuttled its $10 billion LNG project' (p.91). Scott calls it cancelled; ET's wording is suspended with third-party option open.
The rest of the window: investments, jobs, costs, policy and development news too small for a story, each linked to the original.
In a partial award Venture Global disclosed Oct 7, an ICC tribunal found by majority, with one arbitrator dissenting, that its Calcasieu Pass unit breached its duty to declare commercial operations on time under a long-term sale agreement with Galp; damages go to a hearing expected in 2027 or 2028 and are capped at $170 million. Venture Global says the ruling contradicts earlier arbitrations involving Shell and Repsol, that 20 cargoes have gone to Galp since commercial operations began Apr 15, 2025, and that it is evaluating all available options.
Presenting his forecast at McNeese on Oct 7, Loren Scott said Southwest Louisiana should add 6,000 jobs over the next two years, not counting construction, even as tariffs weigh on the national economy: "There's no doubt we would be growing if not for the tariffs." He also cited the Iran war's disruption of the Strait of Hormuz, the route for 20 percent of global LNG, and warned against price controls.
Venture Global is in early-stage talks with at least three Chinese importers about long-term LNG contracts as the Iran war disrupts Middle East supply, Bloomberg reported; PetroChina could buy more than 1 million metric tons a year. The talks follow a recent agreement for deliveries starting in 2030, and the report does not say which of its Louisiana terminals would supply them.
Callan Marine, the dredging contractor on Venture Global's CP2 project, took claims from a sediment spill in August 2025 and three later incidents to federal court under the 1851 Limitation of Liability Act, which puts lawsuits by an oyster farm and more than 20 commercial fishermen and seafood businesses on hold until about January 2027. Callan seeks to cap its liability at $60 million.
The 124 cargoes left Venture Global's Calcasieu Pass terminal in Cameron Parish and its Plaquemines LNG terminal from July through September, LNG Prime reports. The company's 2026 guidance is 149 to 154 cargoes from Calcasieu Pass and 351 to 364 from Plaquemines.
A completed feasibility study suggests a proposed nine-story hotel next to the Lake Charles Event Center, with a full-service restaurant and bar, could draw convention and sports visitors; it would sit across from a proposed sports complex at the former Capital One tower site. Mayor Marshall Simien Jr. said the city has not been able to capture the convention market, and no cost or opening date was given.
The Calcasieu Parish School Board tied 7-7 on an agreement with Persimmon Gulch Solar, the group behind the planned Moss Bluff solar farm, for a $150,000 annual donation to eight DeQuincy and Moss Bluff schools, rising 30% every 10 years once the farm operates. Members split over tying the donation to a binding contract, and no next step was reported.
The Alliance says a regional study is measuring Southwest Louisiana's housing stock and affordability against the needs of current and future residents. Its survey takes under 10 minutes, and respondents can win one of thirty $50 gift cards.
What this edition read, and the projections every story is measured against.
/intel-brief · covers Oct 6 to 9, 202622 sources read