Sempra's Port Arthur Project Gets Environmental Okay

Sempra Energy has received the federal environmental approval for its Port Arthur LNG export project, it said January 31.

The proposed project, to be located in Texas’ Jefferson County, has got the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to construct the Port Arthur LNG LNG export project, as well as the Texas and Louisiana connector pipeline projects that will deliver natural gas to the new export facility, Sempra said.

"Today's positive review of our Port Arthur liquefaction-export project and new pipeline projects by the FERC represents a significant step forward as we remain focused on becoming North America's premier infrastructure company," said Carlos Ruiz Sacristán, CEO of Sempra North American Infrastructure Group.

The proposed Port Arthur LNG project is expected to include two natural gas liquefaction trains capable of processing approximately 11mn mt/yr LNG, up to three LNG storage tanks and associated facilities and new natural gas transmission pipelines in Texas and Louisiana.    

The FEIS is the final step in the environmental review process before FERC can proceed to issue an order approving the project, Sempra said. 

Last month, Port Arthur LNG and PGNiG signed a definitive 20-year sale-and-purchase agreement for supply of LNG.

Last year, Port Arthur LNG selected Bechtel as the engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning contractor for the project, subject to reaching a definitive agreement.  In June 2017, Port Arthur signed a memorandum of understanding with Kogas for potential participation in the Port Arthur LNG project.