Shell has been directed to pay the legal fees of U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) producer Venture Global after losing a major arbitration case over long-term supply agreements. The decision, handed down by an International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) arbitration panel, adds new momentum to the series of disputes challenging how U.S. LNG exporters manage contract obligations amid volatile global energy markets.

Venture Global confirmed the award on Friday, noting that the outcome reinforces its position after years of tense disagreements with multinational buyers.
“Venture Global looks forward to putting these proceeds toward our coastal restoration efforts along the Gulf of America,” a company spokesperson said, referencing environmental projects along the Gulf of Mexico.

Shell Pushes Back in U.S. Court

The ruling comes just days after Reuters revealed that Shell had filed a challenge in the New York Supreme Court seeking to overturn the arbitration decision. Shell’s legal manoeuvre follows a similar defeat suffered by the company’s industry rival BP, which recently won more than $1 billion in its own claim against Venture Global.

Both disputes revolve around Venture Global’s inability to deliver LNG cargoes under long-term contracts during the commissioning phase of its Calcasieu Pass facility. Instead, the company sold cargoes on the spot market—where prices surged dramatically following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Major LNG buyers argue that the moves amounted to a breach of contract. Venture Global, however, insists that its commissioning-phase operations fall within the contractual terms that govern early-stage plant performance and flexibility.

LNG Contracting Practices Under Global Scrutiny

The escalating legal battles highlight deepening tensions between U.S. LNG exporters and their international customers, with potential implications for future contract structures and investment decisions. Analysts say the outcomes could reshape expectations on commissioning periods, transparency, and supply reliability in an industry central to global energy security.

With Shell now challenging the ICC ruling and additional arbitration cases pending, the dispute is set to remain a focal point for both the energy sector and global gas markets in the months ahead.

ICC Orders Shell to Pay Venture Global’s Legal Fees After LNG Arbitration Defeat

An ICC arbitration panel has ordered Shell to pay Venture Global’s legal fees after losing a dispute over LNG supply contracts. The ruling comes as Shell challenges the decision in New York, extending a broader industry clash over U.S. LNG commissioning practices.