Plans for new mid-scale LNG project in Louisiana gain ground

Gulfstream LNG Development, a recently launched mid-sized greenfield LNG export project, has filed an application to the United States Department of Energy (DOE) seeking authorisation to export up to 4 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of LNG to free trade agreement (FTA) and non-FTA countries.

The application follows Gulfstream LNG’s execution of a long-term lease agreement in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, USA securing a prime location to develop the export project.

As explained, Gulfstream LNG’s 500-acre site, which includes over 1.3 kilometres of deepwater (~15 metres) Mississippi River frontage, is located south of New Orleans in Louisiana, a state accounting for over 50% of US LNG exports. The leased site is exclusively available through a long-term ground lease and joint development agreement with a private company developing an intermodal container port with the Plaquemines Port, Harbor & Terminal District.

The facility will be based on using mid-scale modular liquefaction trains deployed and operating in other liquefaction projects in the region. The liquefaction trains will be driven by electrical drives using power generated from low-carbon and renewable fuels, the developer explains.

By leveraging electrical liquefaction drives, Gulfstream LNG aims to be among the greenest and lowest carbon emitting LNG producing facilities in the US Gulf region as well as globally.

The project will request the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to begin the pre-filing process after the completion of the current initial equity funding round.

The first production, anticipated in less than six years, is expected to coincide with the forecasted shortfall in global LNG supply exacerbated by recent geopolitical events and a natural decline in many legacy facilities. All commercial business models, including tolling by offtake customers and by upstream gas producers, as well as FOB sales and co-production of ammonia, will be evaluated.

Gulfstream LNG plans to service domestic, regional, and international LNG markets via river barges, small ships, bunkering vessels, and large tanker exports.

Vivek Chandra, CEO and Founder of Gulfstream LNG, expects to receive FTA export approval later this year and non-FTA approval once the FERC application has progressed.

“In the meantime, we are progressing our engineering and project development efforts, as well as discussions with potential equity investors”, Chandra said.

Vivek Chandra previously founded Texas LNG, an LNG export project under development in south Texas, which completed multiple funding and technical rounds, and received its FERC permit. The project has announced its engineering partners and is progressing towards its FID decision.