HOUSTON, Sept 17 (Reuters) - ConocoPhillips ( COP ) Chief

Executive Ryan Lance on Tuesday called on the U.S. government to

end "this crazy LNG (permit) pause" and allow the country to

lead the liquefied natural gas industry.

The White House implemented a pause on permits to give time

for the Department of Energy to take a "hard look" at the

environmental and economic impacts of the industry. The pause

could stop approvals for exports from LNG projects until after

the Nov. 5 election.

Comments were made during the Gastech conference in Houston.