CORRECTED-Venture Global beats second-quarter revenue estimates on higher LNG sales

Aug 12 (Reuters) - Venture Global VG.N surpassed Wall Street expectations for second-quarter revenue on Tuesday, as the easing of new export permits for liquefied natural gas in the U.S. helped improve sales.

Commercial activity in the sector picked up pace after President Donald Trump lifted a moratorium on new LNG export permits soon after taking office in January.

Venture Global, the country's second-largest LNG exporter behind Cheniere Energy LNG.N, has been ramping up commercial operations at its Plaquemines and Calcasieu Pass export facilities, both located in Louisiana.

The company said it sold 329 trillion British Thermal Units (TBtu) of LNG during the quarter, a 149% jump from the 132 TBt units of the superchilled fuel it sold a year earlier.

It expects to export 227 to 240 cargos of LNG from the Plaquemines project this year, compared with a prior forecast of 222 to 239 cargoes. The Calcasieu Pass project is expected to export 144 to 149 cargos, compared with its previous forecast of 145 to 150 cargoes.

Venture Global became one of the most valuable U.S. LNG companies when it listed in January, though its stock has fallen nearly 50% as the company grapples with higher project costs.

Its operating expenses rose to $2.06 billion during the second quarter from $745 million a year earlier.

The Arlington, Virginia-based company reported revenue of $3.1 billion for the three months ended June 30, compared with analysts' expectations of $2.89 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG.