Energy Department Authorizes Freeport LNG for Export

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has issued two final authorizations for Freeport LNG Expansion, LP, and FLNG Liquefaction, LLC, to export domestically produced liquefied natural gas (LNG) to countries that do not have a free trade agreement with the U.S. The Freeport LNG terminal in Quintana Island, Texas, is authorized to export LNG up to the equivalent of 1.4 billion standard cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of natural gas and 0.4 Bcf/d, for a total authorized volume of 1.8 Bcf/d, for a period of 20 years.

According to the DOE, federal law requires approval of natural gas exports to countries that have an FTA with the U.S., and for countries that do not have an FTA with the U.S, the Natural Gas Act directs the DOE to grant export authorizations unless it finds that the proposed exports “will not be consistent with the public interest.”