U.S. Department of Energy Issues Four LNG Export Approvals

“The Trump Administration recognizes the importance and increasing role U.S. natural gas has in the global energy landscape,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette. “The export capacity of these four projects alone is enough LNG to supply over half of Europe’s LNG import demand. With today’s authorizations, we are paving the way for more U.S. natural gas exports to bring energy security and prosperity to our allies around the world.”

Under the orders issued today, the following authorization holders will have the authority to export the volumes of natural gas as LNG in billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) as shown below:

The above entities are authorized to export LNG to any country with which the United States does not have a free trade agreement requiring national treatment for trade in natural gas.  

The U.S. DOE noted the United States is now in its fourth consecutive year as a net exporter of natural gas. To date the United States has exported LNG to 37 countries and is on track for its export capacity to nearly double in the next 5 years. 

According to the U.S. DOE if built to capacity, the Rio Grande LNG project, including the connected Rio Bravo pipeline, is expected to create over 5,000 jobs during peak construction and represents infrastructure investment in excess of $15 billion. The Corpus Christi expansion is expected to create 2,400 jobs during peak construction, Texas LNG expects to employ 600 construction workers, and Annova LNG expects to employ 1,200 workers during peak construction.