Venture Global obtains approval to export LNG from Plaquemines project

Venture Global has received authorisation from the US Department of Energy (DOE) to export liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the Plaquemines project in Louisiana.

Set to be located on the Mississippi River in Plaquemines Parish, the project is 20 miles from the Port of New Orleans.

Following the approval, Plaquemines LNG will now have authority to export up to 3.4Bcf/d of natural gas as LNG from the planned Plaquemines LNG Project.

The project can export the LNG by sea vessel to any country with which the US does not have a free trade agreement (FTA) requiring national treatment for trade in natural gas, and with which trade is not prohibited by US law or any of the country’s policies.

Last month, the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) authorised Plaquemines LNG to site, construct and operate the plant.

US Secretary of Energy Rick Perry said: “The increase in LNG infrastructure projects in the US has been astounding to watch.

“Projects like Venture Global’s Plaquemines create well-paid, American jobs and have changed the game in sharing the benefits of US LNG with our allies around the world.”

DOE has also approved 38.06Bcf/d of exports in the form of LNG and compressed natural gas (CNG) to non-FTA countries.

Approximately 15Bcfd of export capacity is in various stages of operation and construction across eight large-scale export projects, said DOE in a statement.

Venture Global’s Calcasieu Pass project is currently under construction. The company recently reached a final investment decision (FID) on the project after receiving FERC and DOE approvals earlier this year.