U.S. energy company and LNG operator Sempra Energy said its Port Arthur LNG project in Jefferson County, Texas was granted the final environmental impact statement from FERC.
In addition to the Port Arthur LNG project approval, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued the EIS for the Texas and Louisiana connector pipeline projects that will deliver natural gas to the new export facility, Sempra said in its statement.
The proposed Port Arthur LNG project is expected to include two natural gas liquefaction trains capable of processing approximately 11 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) liquefied natural gas (LNG), up to three LNG storage tanks and associated facilities and new natural gas transmission pipelines in Texas and Louisiana.
The FEIS is the final step in the environmental review process before FERC can proceed to issue an order approving the project.
Last month, Port Arthur LNG and the Polish Oil & Gas Company signed a definitive 20-year sale-and-purchase agreement for LNG from the Port Arthur LNG as part of Sempra Energy’s long-term goal of exporting 45 Mtpa of North American LNG to meet the global demand.
Last year, Port Arthur LNG selected Bechtel as the engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning contractor for the project. In June 2017, Port Arthur signed a memorandum of understanding with Korea Gas Corporation for potential participation in the Port Arthur LNG project.
Sempra added the development of the Port Arthur LNG liquefaction facility is contingent upon obtaining additional customer commitments, completing the required commercial agreements, securing all necessary permits, obtaining financing, incentives and other factors, and reaching a final investment decision.