By Anna Peverieri

Oct 31 (Reuters) - A Donald Trump victory in next week's U.S. presidential election could speed up the lifting of a moratorium on liquefied natural gas $(LNG)$ exports and unlock opportunities in the U.S. market, the CEO of Technip Energies

said on Thursday.

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

In January, U.S. President Joe Biden's energy department paused approvals for new LNG export permits to non-free trade agreement countries to allow officials to update the economic and environmental studies it uses to decide whether approving additional exports is in the public interest.

A federal judge in July blocked the administration's ability to continue the pause in application approvals.

Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris has not said whether she would attempt to continue the pause.

Republican Trump has promised to speed up energy permitting, though this promise could be undercut by his plan to apply 60% tariffs on imports from China.

KEY QUOTES

A "Trump victory could faster lift the moratorium", Technip Energies CEO Arnaud Pieton said on an investor call.

A Harris victory “doesn't mean that the energy moratorium won't be lifted,” but it could take more time, he added.

Technip Energies has signed several major contracts this year, including one in a consortium with pipeline operator Energy Transfer for the Lake Charles LNG plant in the United States.

Pieton said the potential value of the deal - subject to a final investment decision - could top $4-5 billion.

CONTEXT

Technip Energies, which specialises in engineering and technology for the energy industry, on Thursday lifted its annual revenue guidance, buoyed by project deliveries.

(Reporting by Anna Peverieri; Editing by Mark Potter)

((Anna.Peverieri@thomsonreuters.com;))