On April 18, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved two new liquefied natural gas (LNG) export pipeline projects, the Port Arthur LNG and Pipeline projects and the Driftwood LNG and Pipeline projects.

“Today’s orders show that FERC is making a lot of headway on processing LNG applications in a more efficient manner, and I’m proud of the work that we are doing,” FERC Chairman Neil Chatterjee said. “LNG exports can help increase the availability of inexpensive, clean-burning fuel to our global allies who are looking for an efficient, affordable, environmentally friendly source of generation. FERC continues to focus on developing a regulatory ecosystem that allows new technologies to flourish.”

The Driftwood LNG project will be located in Calcasieu Parish, La and it has been authorized to construct LNG facilities that “would export an estimated 27.6 million metric tons of liquefied natural gas per year.” Driftwood’s Pipeline project will consist of “6 miles of mainline pipeline, 3.4 miles of lateral pipeline, 15 new meter stations, and three new compressor stations to transport up to 3.9 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of natural gas per day to feed the LNG facilities.”

The Port Arthur LNG project will have a “total production capacity of an estimated 13.5 million metric tons per year,” and it will be located near Port Arthur, Texas. The Port Arthur Pipeline project will “consist of two pipelines – the 130.9-mile Louisiana Connector Project and the 34.2-mile Texas Connector Pipeline, each with a capacity to transport up to 2 Bcf of gas per day to feed the LNG facilities.” There will also be “three compressor stations and other related facilities” in the Pipeline project.

Both the Driftwood project and the Port Arthur project will “export gas to Free Trade Agreement (FTA) countries.” The sponsors for both projects currently “have applications pending before the U.S. Department of Energy seeking authorization to export gas to non-FTA countries.”

FERC currently has 10 LNG export projects pending.

The concurrence for the Driftwood Projects can be read here. The concurrence for the Port Arthur Projects can be read here.

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