Proposed US deepwater port terminal seeks LNG export permit to 2050

December 17, 2025, by Melisa Cavcic

The U.S. Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management has received an application from ST LNG for a long-term, multi-contract authorization to export domestically produced liquefied natural gas (LNG) up to the equivalent of 460 billion cubic feet of natural gas per year to free trade agreement (FTA) and non-free trade agreement (non-FTA) countries.

The authorization is requested for a term extending through December 31, 2050. ST LNG requests this authorization on its own behalf and as agent for other parties who hold title to the LNG at the time of export.

The proposal entails the export of LNG from its proposed deepwater port export terminal, the ST LNG DWP development project, to be situated in the Brazos Block BA-476 off the southeast coast of Matagorda, Texas, to any country that has, or in the future will have, the capacity to import LNG via ocean-going carrier.

This is related to countries with which the United States has, or will enter into, an FTA requiring national treatment for trade in natural gas, and/or non-FTA, with which trade is not prohibited by U.S. law or policies.

The ST LNG proposed LNG export facility, which is located approximately 10.4 nautical miles off the coast of Matagorda, aims to create over 1,900 temporary construction jobs and 156 permanent positions over its lifespan.

The facility, which will consist of multiple platforms, is designed to export up to 8.4 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of LNG, with construction planned in two phases off the coast of Texas in East Matagorda Bay.

The developer claims that its proposed LNG export facility will close the gap towards a cleaner environment with competitively priced U.S. LNG, as well as deliver significant economic benefits to the region.