Sempra’s Port Arthur LNG Phase 2 receives FERC authorization

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has approved the permit authorizing the Port Arthur LNG Phase 2 expansion project under development at Port Arthur LNG in Jefferson County, Texas, by Sempra Infrastructure, a subsidiary of Sempra.

Sempra announced the authorization on September 21, stating that the permit marks a major regulatory milestone for a proposed Phase 2 project, including the addition of two liquefaction trains (trains 3 and 4) capable of producing up to 13 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of LNG.

The Port Arthur LNG Phase 2 project is under active marketing and development and is expected to help meet future demand for U.S. LNG supplies expected to serve European, Asian, and other global markets as countries look to enhance energy reliability and security and displace coal in power production.

The Port Arthur LNG Phase 1 project is currently under construction and is designed to include two natural gas liquefaction trains, two LNG storage tanks, and associated facilities.

The development of the proposed Phase 2 project could increase the total liquefaction capacity of the facility from approximately 13 mtpa to approximately 26 mtpa. The proposed project is also expected to include an additional LNG storage tank and marine berth and would benefit from some of the common facilities currently under construction that were previously approved as part of the Port Arthur LNG Phase 1 permitting process.

“Sempra Infrastructure is committed to investing in infrastructure opportunities that help enable a cleaner and more secure energy future,” said Justin Bird, CEO of Sempra Infrastructure. “Today’s FERC order is a significant step in our ability to advance the global energy transition, creating an opportunity to double the amount of secure and reliable U.S. natural gas that Port Arthur LNG can help deliver to global markets.”

The company underlined its commitment to evaluate opportunities to develop the entirety of the Port Arthur site while also exploring potential projects to reduce the carbon intensity of its LNG, positioning Port Arthur as a flagship hub for the energy transition. The company is leveraging the integrated capabilities of its business segments to develop the proposed Port Arthur Pipeline Texas Connector project, the proposed Post Arthur Pipeline Louisiana Connector project and develop new gas storage facilities, all of which would serve the Port Arthur LNG facility.

To support the advancement of the Port Arthur Energy Hub, Sempra recently acquired 38,000 acres of pore space and relevant surface rights to support the proposed Titan Carbon Sequestration project, which is proximal in location to the Port Arthur LNG facility.

The project targets capturing carbon from Sempra Infrastructure’s Port Arthur LNG Phase 1 and 2 projects that are currently under development and has the potential to unlock other net-zero energy infrastructure opportunities.