The US Department of Energy (DOE) has approved liquefied natural gas exports to non-free trade agreement (FTA) countries from Port Arthur LNG Phase II in Jefferson County, Texas.
Port Arthur LNG Phase II, owned by infrastructure company Sempra Infrastructure, is expected to produce around 13.5 million tonnes per annum of LNG. This would increase the project’s total liquefaction capacity to 26 million tonnes per annum.
Sempra Infrastructure is targeting final investment decision by the end of 2025. The company’s CEO said it is making “steady progress” towards this target.
US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said Phase II marks a significant expansion of the first phase of the project, which is under construction.
The non-FTA permit is the first issued since the DOE’s latest public interest review following the 2024 LNG export study. It is thought that approvals like this could reduce US deficit, support energy security, and boost the US economy.
In June, energy and chemicals company Aramco signed an agreement with Sempra that includes a 20-year LNG sale and purchase deal and a potential arrangement for Aramco to acquire a 25% stake in the Port Arthur LNG Phase 2 expansion project.
