Extension arranged with Samsung Heavy Industries as US LNG project nears FID

January 12, 2026, by Melisa Cavcic

Delfin Midstream, a U.S.-based liquefied natural gas (LNG) export infrastructure development company, has agreed to prolong a letter of award (LOA) with South Korea’s Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) for the job related to the first floating LNG (FLNG) unit destined to be deployed at its American LNG project under development in Louisiana, United States.

Two large vessels side by side at sea, surrounded by three smaller tugboats — Illustration; Source: Delfin Midstream

Delfin Midstream’s LOA extension with Samsung Heavy Industries comes after the parties executed early engagement work to prepare for the execution of the Delfin LNG project. As the last workstreams approach completion, the duo expects the final investment decision (FID) the next month.

The firm has also entered into a LOA with Black & Veatch for the execution of a purchase order (PO) with Siemens Energy, following an agreement in July 2025 to reserve manufacturing capacity for the SGT-750 Gas Turbine Mechanical Drive Packages. During the fall of 2025, Delfin issued a limited notice to proceed (LNTP) for initial execution work of these packages.

Dudley Poston, Delfin’s CEO, commented: “With the last parts of the project coming together, we are very pleased to plan for the FID and immediate execution by ordering and reserving key equipment. Our project represents a significant milestone in the development of critical energy infrastructure in the United States.

“We are excited by our progress and our continued collaboration with SHI, Black & Veatch, Siemens Energy and key vendors as we finalize the necessary commercial and financing workstreams to bring the country’s first offshore LNG project to market.”

According to the company, the announcement marks the start of the manufacturing of this key equipment under contract with Black & Veatch, which will be the prime subcontractor to SHI for the execution of the topsides engineering and procurement scope as well as pre-commissioning and commissioning services.

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The Delfin LNG project will utilize the firm’s patented PRICO liquefaction technology, which is optimized for efficiency and reliability in onshore, nearshore and floating applications. Additional equipment has been awarded and manufacturing slots have been reserved for key equipment in the hull and for the topsides to prepare for execution and secure the project schedule.

The brownfield deepwater port is said to require minimal additional infrastructure investment to support up to three floating LNG vessels producing up to 13.2 million tonnes of LNG annually. The Delfin FLNG project is perceived to have the potential to be the first LNG export deepwater port facility in the United States and a significant economic contributor and job creator over the long-term.

Delfin bought the UTOS pipeline, described as the largest natural gas pipeline in the Gulf of America. The LNG project already received a deepwater port license from the Maritime Administration (MARAD) and approval from the Department of Energy for long-term exports of LNG to countries that do not have a free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States.