Cook Inlet LNG puts new FSRU-based lifeline on Alaska’s energy horizon

June 3, 2026, by Melisa Cavcic

Cook Inlet LNG, a subsidiary of Louisiana-based independent oil and gas company Gardes Holdings, has set the wheels in motion to secure regulatory clearances for an offshore liquefied natural gas (LNG) import project, utilizing a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) and existing platform infrastructure to cover Alaska’s unmet gas demand and storage needs in the coming years.

Cook Inlet LNG has initiated the process of obtaining regulatory approvals from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the U.S. Coast Guard, and other regulatory agencies for its near-term bridge solution for energy security in Southcentral Alaska, which entails a FSRU and existing platform infrastructure.

Gardes Holdings will be working in partnership with Glacier Oil & Gas Corp., a long-time Cook Inlet producer, to develop this project to provide energy security for what is deemed to be the most populous region of the country, while longer-term solutions are advanced and realized.

Rob Bryngelson, Cook Inlet LNG’s Project Lead, commented: “It’s no secret that Southcentral Alaska faces a critical energy gap in just a few short years that many players in our industry are working hard to overcome.

“With our FSRU project, Cook Inlet LNG aims to meet an immediate gas supply need, not impede longer-term gas supply projects currently being discussed in the public sphere. Now that we have reached key internal milestones, we can join those critical energy supply discussions with our FSRU project.”

The project is envisioned to maximize the use of existing oil and gas infrastructure in the Cook Inlet basin, with the initial project structured to supply 22 billion cubic feet (bcf) of natural gas per year to the region. The FSRU will be moored alongside the existing Osprey platform on the west side of Cook Inlet.

While gas will be fed into the pipeline system through the platform’s existing infrastructure, the mooring anchors that will be placed on the floor of Cook Inlet for mooring of the FSRU are the only new infrastructure that will be required for the Cook Inlet LNG project.

Stephen Ratcliff, CEO of Glacier Oil & Gas Corp., emphasized: “With proven, existing infrastructure, facilities, and pipelines in the southernmost area of the Cook Inlet, we are excited to embark on the next phase of delivering energy solutions for Alaskans, by Alaskans.

“Our ability to utilize our infrastructure allows a timely solution for meeting a gas supply demand in real time, while upholding our standard for health & safety of our employees and the environment we operate in.”

Based on the current schedule, the first available gas from the FSRU project is expected in mid-2029. This development is privately funded, eliminating execution risk to local utilities and ratepayers. Once the project is in operation, gas supply costs to utilities and ratepayers will be approved by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA). Among the key upcoming projects in the country is Alaska LNG.

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Robert Gardes, Gardes Holdings’ President, noted: “This project maximizes the re-use of oil and gas infrastructure that has operated safely in Cook Inlet for decades. FSRU’s have proven effective as a simple, safe solution to fill energy gaps across the world. We are proud that this project will do the same for Alaskans.”

Cook Inlet LNG points out that the FSRU will be resupplied by LNG tankers approximately once every 30-45 days in winter, with longer durations between resupplies in summer. All vessels are expected to be suited for operations in Cook Inlet’s challenging conditions.