Gas
US LNG rivalry follows ambassador's exit in Greece
The departure of the US ambassador to Greece has sparked debate over regional liquefied natural gas rivalries.
Key points
- White House requested the resignation of US Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle following misconduct allegations.
- Greek commentators questioned whether commercial rivalries over US LNG exports contributed to her exit.
- Projects like the Vertical Corridor remain central to US and Greek energy strategies for Europe.
What happened
According to GreekReporter.com, the White House announced on October 13, 2026, that US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle had been asked to resign following allegations of misconduct. Guilfoyle denied any wrongdoing and stated her intention to defend her reputation. Her departure occurred less than a week after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Athens to emphasise energy cooperation.
Why it matters
The timing has triggered local speculation in Greece regarding competing American liquefied natural gas interests in the region, GreekReporter.com reported. Analysts and media commentators discussed potential commercial tensions involving US firms such as Venture Global, which collaborates with Greece's Atlantic-SEE LNG Trade on the Vertical Corridor, and Argent LNG, which has established commercial ties with Turkey.
However, public evidence connecting these business rivalries to the ambassador's dismissal remains absent. Washington's stated action was based on misconduct allegations, and officials have provided no indication that energy disputes influenced the decision. Greek authorities maintain that energy diversification is a critical security priority, with Henry Hub natural gas trading at 3.22 US dollars per MMBtu on October 14, 2026, according to US EIA figures.
What comes next
The regional energy strategy centers on the Vertical Corridor, which aims to transport gas from Greece through Bulgaria, Romania and Moldova toward Ukraine. While commercial prospects depend on transport tariffs, infrastructure investment and competitive pricing, it remains unverified whether the diplomatic change will alter US policy or impact ongoing agreements tied to the corridor.
Original reporting
This article draws on the following reports. Read them in full on the publishers’ sites.
Context from CEII
Gas is the flexible backbone of many grids and the designated transition fuel in many national plans, from LNG trade to domestic LPG and CNG. Supply security and pricing drive both power reliability and emissions.
39.2% of electricity in Greece came from gas in 2025Countries in this story
Written by the CEII Desk, the Centre’s automated newsroom, from the reporting credited above and CEII’s own data. Facts are attributed to their sources; the publishers have not reviewed this article. Spotted an error? Tell our editors.
