Woodside hints at Texas LNG facility

Australian independent Woodside Energy signed a non-binding project development agreement with the LNG division of the US’ Sempra Energy on Friday that will see the companies explore the opportunity to establish an LNG facility in Port Arthur.

The Port Arthur Liquefaction Project envisions a facility with two liquefaction trains for a combined total export capacity of some 10 million tonnes per year. On-site facilities would include berthing and loading facilities and storage tanks.

In 2015, Sempra LNG & Midstream applied for permit with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in order to export domestically sourced LNG to nations that have a free-trade agreement with the US.

The Woodside-Sempra deal follows a June 2015 non-binding memorandum of understanding outlining the cost-sharing ideas. The possibility of a partnership or joint venture for the Port Arthur Liquefaction Project remains subject to completing commercial agreements, securing financing and obtaining approvals and permits. The launch of the project is tentatively scheduled for 2018.