US Department of Energy approves Cameron LNG in Louisiana

Sempra Energy’s Cameron LNG facility, near the Gulf Coast of Louisiana, has received authorisation from the US Department of Energy (DOE).

The authorisation will allow the company to export an additional 1.41 billion ft³ of natural gas per day (bcfd) from the proposed liquefaction expansion project to countries that do not have a free-trade agreement with the US.

Following the order, the facility’s export capacity will be 24.92 million tonnes per year.

Earlier this year, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) gave approval for Cameron LNG to site, construct and operate the expansion project.

The project will be located next to the Cameron LNG terminal and liquefaction facilities and have two additional liquefaction trains (trains No 4 and No 5), as well as one additional full containment LNG storage tank (tank No 5).

Sempra LNG and midstream president Octavio Simoes said: "Receiving DOE's authorisation is an important step forward for the Cameron LNG expansion project.

"We appreciate the support and leadership of the community and our federal, state and local officials for their commitment to this project that will provide incremental benefits to the economy, while meeting market demand for new LNG supplies."

The company noted that the first phase construction of the $10bn Cameron LNG liquefaction project is currently being carried out.

The facility is expected to commence operations during 2018 with the first full year of operations set to begin in 2019.

Cameron LNG is a joint venture owned by affiliates of Sempra Energy, ENGIE, Mitsui & Co and Japan LNG Investment and consists of the Cameron LNG liquefied natural gas (LNG) receipt terminal in Hackberry.