US company NextDecade has selected compatriot Great Lakes Dredge & Dock to perform dredging works related to its proposed Rio Grande LNG export project in Texas.
These works, which include deepening the Brownsville ship channel, will boost commercial navigation into and out of the Port of Brownsville, ensuring the safe and reliable access of LNG carriers to the Rio Grande facility.
It will also optimize the ability of shallower draft traffic to pass LNG carriers in either direction in accordance with US Coast Guard guidelines, according to NextDecade.
NextDecade, in coordination with the Port of Brownsville, has completed the permitting process for the project activities within the scope of the dredge and disposal construction agreement (DDCA) announced on Tuesday.
The DDCA is consistent with NextDecade’s overall Rio Grande LNG construction budget and timeline, the firm said.
Additionally, it features provisions that enable efficient sequencing and coordination with Rio Grande LNG project development activities pursuant to EPC contracts executed with Bechtel in May 2019, it said.
NextDecade has earlier this year postponed its final investment decision on the LNG export project due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The firm said last month it continues to work on remaining commercial agreements needed to achieve the decision in 2021.
Also in August, the firm secured approval from federal regulators to ditch one train in an optimization move.
The project now includes five trains for a total capacity of 27 million tonnes per year.
