Sempra files for permits to add 27 mtpa LNG expansion at Port Arthur, Texas

Sempra has filed for permits to build the Port Arthur LNG North Project in Texas—a proposed expansion that would add four liquefaction trains with a combined capacity of up to 27 million metric tons per annum of LNG on the U.S. Gulf Coast. The filing marks a significant step toward what could become one of the largest LNG export buildouts in the country.

Sempra files permit application for Port Arthur LNG North Project

Sempra has formally kicked off the permitting process for the Port Arthur LNG North Project, submitting a filing that lays out the full scope of what it’s envisioning for the site. The centerpiece: four liquefaction trains, each capable of producing up to 6.73 mtpa of LNG under optimal conditions—adding up to a combined 27 mtpa across all four units.

The filing goes well beyond liquefaction trains. Sempra also included plans for three LNG storage tanks and marine facilities supporting up to two LNG berths—the docking points where tankers load cargoes before heading to international markets. Taken together, the proposal signals that Sempra is thinking about the North Project as a fully integrated export terminal, not simply an add-on to what’s already there.

If regulators approve the project and construction proceeds on schedule, Sempra estimates the North Project could begin exporting LNG in the second half of 2034.

No estimated project cost was included in the filing.

Why Sempra is pursuing additional LNG capacity

The push to expand isn’t happening in a vacuum. Global demand for LNG has been climbing steadily as countries look for reliable, long-term supplies to power their grids and fuel industrial operations, and that demand has made U.S. export terminals increasingly attractive. Developers along the Gulf Coast have responded accordingly.

The United States is currently the world’s largest LNG exporter. Dozens of expansion projects have been proposed along the Gulf Coast in recent years, reflecting just how much appetite exists for American LNG on the international market. Sempra is far from alone in chasing more capacity—but its position at Port Arthur gives it a meaningful head start.

The company is already developing Port Arthur Phase 1 and Phase 2, which together carry a combined capacity of 26 mtpa. That existing footprint makes a third phase a natural progression rather than a leap into the unknown. Sempra already has the relationships, the site knowledge, and the regulatory experience that come from building at scale in Southeast Texas—advantages that don’t show up in a permit filing but matter enormously once construction begins.

Potential output, timeline, and infrastructure details

If regulators approve the project and construction proceeds on schedule, Sempra estimates the North Project could begin exporting LNG in the second half of 2034. That’s roughly a decade away, which reflects the long lead times typical of large-scale LNG infrastructure—from permitting through engineering, procurement, and construction.

One factor that could streamline the process is that the facilities would be built on land already owned by Port Arthur LNG. Site acquisition alone can slow energy infrastructure projects considerably, bringing negotiation delays and legal challenges into the mix before a shovel ever hits the ground. Building on owned land doesn’t guarantee a smooth path, but it does remove a common early obstacle.

The North Project, if completed, would substantially increase Sempra’s total Gulf Coast export capacity. Adding 27 mtpa on top of the 26 mtpa already planned across Phase 1 and Phase 2 would bring the company’s combined Port Arthur capacity to around 53 mtpa—a figure that would place it among the largest LNG export operations in the world.

Context: Southeast Texas as a global LNG export hub

Southeast Texas has quietly become one of the most strategically important LNG export regions on the planet. The geography works in its favor: proximity to Gulf of Mexico shipping lanes, existing pipeline infrastructure, and a long history of industrial energy development all make the area a logical home for large-scale LNG terminals.

Sempra’s existing Phase 1 and Phase 2 projects at Port Arthur already represent 26 mtpa of combined capacity. The North Project would reinforce that position considerably if it clears permitting and construction. Together, all three phases would make Port Arthur one of the single largest LNG export complexes anywhere in the world.

The broader Gulf Coast picture is equally striking. U.S. developers have filed dozens of similar expansion proposals in recent years, all betting that international demand for American LNG will remain strong well into the 2030s and beyond. So far, the market signals have supported that bet.

Permits are pending

Here’s where things stand. Sempra has filed for permits to build the Port Arthur LNG North Project—a four-train expansion with a combined capacity of up to 27 mtpa, with each train producing up to 6.73 mtpa under optimal conditions. The project also includes three storage tanks and marine facilities with up to two LNG berths.

The facilities would be built on land Sempra already owns at the Port Arthur site. A potential export start date of the second half of 2034 has been targeted, assuming regulatory approval and construction staying on track. No cost estimate was provided in the filing.

Combined with the 26 mtpa already planned across Phase 1 and Phase 2, the North Project would give Sempra a total Port Arthur capacity approaching 53 mtpa—and for Southeast Texas, another step toward cementing the region’s role as a cornerstone of global LNG trade.

Kelly Lippke

Kelly is an experienced writer with 15 years of experience exploring the big stories that shape our world, from tech breakthroughs and space exploration to climate, energy, and the fascinating quirks of science. She has a talent for turning complex ideas into sharp, memorable insights that stay with readers long after they’ve finished reading.