Gulfstream LNG said in its application dated July 7 that it requests the Commission to issue an order granting the authorization to site, construct, and operate the liquefaction and export facility by no later than December 31, 2026 to allow the company to commence commercial exports by early 2030.
In May 2024, Gulfstream LNG received approval from FERC to start the pre-filing permitting process, kicking off the regulatory review for its proposed 4 million tonnes per annum modular export facility.
Also, Gulfstream LNG filed its application with the Department of Energy/Office of Fossil Energy to export LNG to both free trade agreement and non-FTA nations on March 10, 2023.
In June 2023, DOE/FECM authorized Gulfstream LNG to export domestically produced LNG by vessel to FTA nations.
The authorized volume of 237.5 Bcf/yr (650 MMcf/d) of natural gas will start on the date of first export following the start of commercial operation of the project and to extend through December 31, 2050.
Domestic and international markets
Gulfstream LNG plans to build the facility on an approximately 418-acre site located south of the town of Belle Chasse, around River Mile Marker 48, in Plaquemines Parish.
The undeveloped site, which Gulfstream LNG has leased from Magnolia Terminal, has approximately 11,788 feet of deepwater river frontage located on the west side of the Mississippi River.
The LNG facility will consist of three mid-scale liquefaction trains, each featuring Baker Hughes technology with a gross capacity of 1.4 mtpa.
According to Gulfstream LNG, the project includes a truck loading facility to serve domestic customers via truck delivery.
Moreover, the marine facilities will have a total of two berths.
This includes one smaller berth for LNG smaller vessels and barges (30,000 to 40,000 cubic meters) to serve domestic regional markets, and one for larger ocean-going LNG ships with cargo capacity ranging from 145,000 to 185,000 cbm that will be able to deliver to international markets, including Europe and Asia.
Gulfstream LNG said the proportion of sales to each market is expected to evolve as US and global LNG markets mature.
The domestic LNG market, though currently relatively small, is expected to grow as LNG fuel is adopted for road transportation and marine bunkering purposes, the company said.
Gulfstream LNG anticipates that the sources of natural gas will include supplies from various producing regions, including recent shale gas discoveries in the Permian, Haynesville, Eagle Ford, Barnett, and Marcellus shale plays, estimated to contain over 500 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of recoverable gas.
