Carbon capture-enabled 19.2-mtpa Texas Gulf Coast LNG project enters permitting phase

August 5, 2026, by Melisa Cavcic

A planned multi-train liquefied natural gas (LNG) export project on the Texas Gulf Coast has taken a significant regulatory step toward development after submitting a request to the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to begin the pre-filing review process for the proposed export terminal.

Coastal Bend LNG, which selected ConocoPhillips’ Optimized Cascade process (COP OCP) technology last year to assist in achieving its goal of curbing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, has initiated the formal permitting process for its proposed LNG export facility along the Texas Gulf Coast with the submission of a request to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to kick off the pre-filing review.

Keith Shoemaker, Chief Commercial Officer of Coastal Bend LNG, underlined: “Our location on the Texas Gulf Coast superimposes three geographic advantages not replicated elsewhere: direct connectivity to Texas’s abundant natural gas supplies, proximity to some of the world’s most favorable geology for carbon sequestration, and the flexibility to serve both Asian and European markets with an emissions profile that meets the CLEAN initiative’s transparency expectations and supports buyers’ compliance with the EU Methane Regulation.”

The developer expects to file its formal application with FERC under Section 3 of the Natural Gas Act in early 2027. This LNG project comprises four liquefaction trains of 4.8 million tons per annum (mtpa) for a total nameplate capacity of 19.2 mtpa, together with associated storage and vessel loading infrastructure.

With its facility designed to feature integrated carbon capture facilities, Coastal Bend LNG can contract transport and geological sequestration of carbon dioxide. The start of FERC pre-filing follows a series of recent project milestones, including the selection of KBR and Técnicas Reunidas as front-end engineering design (FEED) and engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors.

Nick Flores, Chief Executive Officer of Coastal Bend LNG, commented: “This is a key milestone for Coastal Bend LNG and reflects our disciplined engineering, commercial, and regulatory execution. We look forward to working transparently and collaboratively with FERC, cooperating agencies, our communities and other stakeholders throughout the review process.”