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Freeport LNG Responds to Sierra Club's Protest Regarding Export Application
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May 17, 2012
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Freeport LNG Expansion, L.P. and FLNG Liquefaction, LLC (together, FLEX) filed an answer to Sierra Club's motion to intervene and protest regarding the FLEX application to export LNG filed with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). FLEX states that (1) Sierra Club's protest raises general LNG export policy issues and fails to state a claim of interest specific to FLEX's application, (2) contrary to Sierra Club's claims, DOE may grant approval of FLEX's application conditioned on FERC's environmental review of the project facilities, and (3) Sierra Club has failed to prove that the FLEX proposal is inconsistent with the public interest. FLEX's answer can be found on DOE's website under Docket No. 11-161-LNG.
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B.C. Commits to Three Operational LNG Export Terminals by 2020
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May 17, 2012
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Platts LNG Daily [subscription required] reports that British Columbia Premier Christy Clark stated that her government is committed to having three LNG export terminals in operation by 2020, with Japan as the intended buyer of the LNG.
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Southern LNG Files for DOE Authorization to Export LNG From Elba Island Terminal
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May 17, 2012
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Southern LNG has filed an application with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for authority to export from the Elba Island terminal near Savannah, Ga. up to 4 million tons per year (approximately 0.5 Bcf/day) of domestically produced LNG over a 25-year period to countries having a Free Trade Agreement with the United States. The application can be found on DOE's website under Docket No. 12-54-LNG.
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Cameron LNG Files Response to Sierra Club and APGA at DOE
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May 16, 2012
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Cameron LNG filed an answer opposing motions to intervene and protests filed by Sierra Club and the American Public Gas Association (APGA) regarding Cameron LNG’s application with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to export domestically produced LNG to countries not having Free Trade Agreements with the U.S. Cameron LNG's answer argues, among other things, that (1) Sierra Club and APGA have not demonstrated an interest warranting intervention, (2) DOE is not responsible for review of environmental issues related to Cameron LNG’s application, and (3) approval of the application will have minimal affects on domestic gas prices. Cameron LNG's answer can be found on DOE's website under Docket No. 11-162-LNG.
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LNG Canada Project Announced
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May 16, 2012
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Shell Canada Limited and its partners Korea Gas Corporation (KOGAS), Mitsubishi Corporation, and PetroChina Company Limited announced on Tuesday that they are jointly developing a proposed LNG export facility near Kitimat, British Columbia. Shell has a 40-percent working interest in the LNG Canada project, with KOGAS, Mitsubishi and PetroChina each holding 20-percent. The proposed LNG Canada project includes a gas liquefaction plant and facilities for the storage and export of LNG, and will initially consist of two LNG processing trains, each with the capacity to produce six million tonnes of LNG annually, with an option to expand the project in the future.
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Gulf LNG, Oregon LNG and SB Power Solutions File for DOE LNG Export Authority
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May 16, 2012
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Gulf LNG Liquefaction Company, LLC (GLLC) has filed an application (Docket No. 12-47-LNG) with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) requesting authorization to export, on behalf of itself or as agent for others, domestically produced LNG from the Gulf LNG terminal in Pascagoula, Miss., to nations having Free Trade Agreements with the U.S. (FTA nations). GLLC seeks to export 11.5 million tons per year of LNG (approximately 1.5 Bcf/d) over a 25-year period.
LNG Development Company, LLC (d/b/a Oregon LNG) has filed an application (Docket No. 12-48-LNG) with DOE requesting authorization to export, on behalf of itself or as agent for others, LNG from its proposed LNG terminal site in Warrenton, Clatsop County, Ore., to FTA nations. Oregon LNG seeks to export up to the equivalent of 456.25 Bcf/year for a 30-year period.
SB Power Solutions (SPS) has filed an application (Docket No. 12-50-LNG) with DOE requesting authorization to export domestically produced and previously imported LNG from various U.S. LNG terminals located on the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Coasts to FTA nations located in the Caribbean, Latin America and South America. SPS seeks to export up to the equivalent of 550,000 metric tons (approximately 0.043 Bcf) per year for a 25-year period.
These applications can be found on DOE’s website.
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Freeport LNG Responds to APGA and GCLC Protests Regarding DOE Export Application
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May 16, 2012
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Freeport LNG Expansion and FLNG Liquefaction (together, FLEX) filed answers to the American Public Gas Association's (APGA) and the Gulf Coast Labor Coalition's (GCLC) motions to intervene and protests regarding the FLEX application to export LNG filed with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Responding to APGA, FLEX argues that APGA's claims of increased domestic gas prices resulting from LNG exports are exaggerated and that limiting LNG exports "would constitute a de facto subsidy to domestic consumers at the expense of domestic producers."
In its answer to GCLC, FLEX states that GCLC has failed to state a claim of interest in the case, has not supported its request for a second public comment period, and has failed to show that the FLEX application is inconsistent with the public interest.
The FLEX answers can be found on DOE's website under Docket No. 11-161-LNG.
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Excelerate Energy Announces Lavaca Bay LNG Project
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May 15, 2012
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Excelerate Energy L.P. has announced it is developing a floating liquefaction facility in Port Lavaca, TX, between Galveston and Corpus Christi, on the Texas Gulf Coast. The Lavaca Bay LNG project will be the first floating liquefaction facility in the U.S. and will be designed to export LNG by 2017. Excelerate expects expedited FERC approval for the project since the Port Lavaca location was previously approved by FERC for the Calhoun LNG import terminal, which was not built. Read more in the MarketWatch article.
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White House Official Says Analysis Will Drive LNG Export Policy
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May 14, 2012
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Reuters reports today that Heather Zichal, Deputy Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change, told an industry group that the Obama Administration was "certainly not opposed to LNG exports," and that LNG export policy will be driven in accordance with the results of the U.S. Department of Energy's forthcoming analysis of the environmental and economic effects of exporting LNG.
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Korea Looking to Secure U.S. Shale Gas for Potential LNG Supplies
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May 14, 2012
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To help supply its domestic energy needs, Korea National Oil Corporation is considering investing in U.S. shale gas companies as a possible source of LNG for its home market. Read more in Reuters.
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Report: JVs and Partnerships May Help Canadian Companies Accelerate LNG Export Development
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May 11, 2012
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According to a new report from Ernst & Young, Canadian companies are at risk of losing potential LNG export market share in Asia. Since LNG terminal projects can be costly and risky undertakings for individual companies, the report recommends that Canadian companies pursue joint ventures and partnerships to expedite the development of LNG export infrastructure.
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Sabine Pass to Begin Initial Site Preparation for LNG Export Facilities
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May 11, 2012
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Yesterday FERC granted authorization to Sabine Pass to begin initial site preparation for the construction of LNG liquefaction and export facilities at its existing import terminal in Cameron Parish, La. FERC’s authorization can be found in the eLibrary under Docket No. CP11-72.
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B.C. Premier Hopes to Sell LNG to Asian Gas Buyers
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May 10, 2012
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Premier Christy Clark of British Columbia will leave later this week for an eight-day trip to Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines. The Vancouver Sun reports that Premier Clark will focus on developing Asian LNG markets for her province’s natural gas. Premier Clark noted that although British Columbia represents an attractive LNG supply to Asian buyers, the global LNG market is changing quickly and the province should move to secure contracts for the sale of LNG within the next five years.
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Downeast LNG President Says Project Developed for "Tomorrow's Market"
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May 10, 2012
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Speaking to the Maine Public Broadcasting Network, Downeast LNG President Dean Girdis said that his company's LNG import proposal is contemplated for "tomorrow's market" due to the long permitting and construction timeframes for LNG regasification terminals. He also noted that New England may need imported LNG to satisfy "potentially a billion cubic feet of unmet power demand for gas . . . by the end of the decade." The article also reports that opponents of the project do not view the terminal as economically viable.
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U.S. Export-Import Bank Authorizes Loan for U.S. Exports to Australia Pacific LNG Project
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May 10, 2012
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Earlier this week, the Export-Import Bank of the United States authorized a $2.95 billion loan to support U.S. exporters seeking to sell goods and services to the Australia Pacific LNG project at Curtis Island in Australia. The Bank's press release notes that ConocoPhillips and Bechtel International will be the principal exporters for this project and that the loan will support some 11,000 American jobs.
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CEO of ConocoPhillips Says U.S. LNG Exports Are "Reasonable"
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May 10, 2012
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Ryan Lance, the chief executive of ConocoPhillips, said yesterday that he believes LNG exports from the Continental United States are "reasonable" due to the excess of U.S. natural gas supplies. According to Fox Business, Lance went on to say that ConocoPhillips and its other partners in the Golden Pass LNG import project, ExxonMobil and Qatargas, are discussing the future of the terminal but no decision has been made to date.
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Canadian Official Concerned about Losing LNG Export Opportunities
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May 9, 2012
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Canadian Minister of Natural Resources Joe Oliver told reporters Friday that he is concerned that Canadian companies may lose opportunities to the Australians to export LNG to Asia due to the slow pace of the Canadian regulatory approval process for LNG projects. Oliver hopes that the Canadian government's recently published Responsible Resource Development plan will expedite the government review process for the country's LNG export projects. Read more in the Financial Post.
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Cameron LNG Files to Initiate FERC Pre-Filing Process for LNG Export Facilities
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May 9, 2012
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Cameron LNG has filed a request with FERC to initiate the pre-filing review process for proposed liquefaction and export facilities to be constructed at Cameron's existing LNG import terminal in Hackberry, La. According to the request, Cameron LNG anticipates filing a formal application with FERC in December 2012. Cameron Interstate Pipeline also filed a related request for its proposal to construct facilities to permit bi-directional gas flow to and from the Cameron LNG terminal. The requests can be found on FERC's eLibrary under Docket Nos. PF12-12 and PF12-13.
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European LNG Headlines
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May 9, 2012
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- Europe Re-Exports Record Volume of LNG in April (Reuters)
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New England Power Grid Operator Prepares for Possible LNG Supply Disruptions
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May 7, 2012
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The Boston Globe reports that recent attacks on gas pipeline facilities in Yemen have caused cancellation of two shipments of LNG to Distrigas' LNG terminal at Everett, Mass., prompting electricity grid operator ISO New England to prepare for possible generator outages caused by low supplies of LNG, which is used for power generation in the region.
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Obama Discusses Increased LNG Exports to Japan
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May 7, 2012
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Last week, President Obama met with Japanese Prime Minister Noda and announced that they have agreed to "a new joint vision to guide our alliance," which includes strengthening energy cooperation and discussions on expanding LNG exports from the United States to Japan. A transcript of the President's remarks can be found here.
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Cheniere Energy Announces New Financing Partners for Sabine Pass Export Project
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May 7, 2012
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Cheniere Energy, Inc. announced today that Temasek and RRJ Capital have agreed to make an equity investment of approximately $468 million in Cheniere, which will be used to partially finance Cheniere's Sabine Pass LNG liquefaction project.
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