FERC said on Friday it has granted Rio Grande LNG’s April 3 request to modify the workforce configuration and expand the construction work hours to include overnight and weekend work.
In addition, FERC confirmed the receipt of all federal authorizations relevant to Rio Grande LNG’s request, it said.
Rio Grande entities submitted a variance request to FERC to increase the peak workforce to 7,500 personnel (6,500 day shift, 1,000 night shift), up from the currently authorized 5,225 personnel.
Moreover, FERC also allowed construction to occur 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with a limited set of construction activities occurring during nights and weekends, including but not limited to erecting structural steel, equipment installation, piping activities, welding, civil activities including concrete placement, trenching/excavation inside of the perimeter levee, and coating/fireproofing.
The company noted in its request that the Rio Grande entities are constructing all five trains simultaneously, requiring a greater overall workforce presence and multiple craft trades on site at the same time.
“As a result, the site will become physically constrained in the coming months unless the requested 24/7 work week is implemented and an increased number of peak workforce is authorized,” it said.
Matt Schatzman, NextDecade chairman and CEO, recently said that the company expects to start LNG production at the first train of its Rio Grande LNG terminal in the first half of 2027.
“With 30 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of expected LNG production capacity under construction and the goal of doubling our capacity to 60 mtpa on site, growth at attractive returns continues to be a primary focus for the company,” Schatzman.
He noted that NextDecade initiated the pre-filing process with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for Train 6 in November 2025.
The company expects to file a full application for Train 6 by mid-year, and “we expect to advance the development of Trains 7 and 8 throughout the year,” Schatzman said.
He said that NextDecade has been “in the market talking to potential customers for train six, and we’re seeing continued strong demand for incremental LNG supply in the 2030s and beyond.”
