ST LNG Wins Federal License for $8.2 Billion Texas Export Project

The U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) has approved a deepwater port license for ST LNG's planned $8.2 billion liquefied natural gas export project offshore Matagorda, Texas, clearing a major federal regulatory milestone for the development.

The project is expected to increase U.S. LNG export capacity by 7% TO 9%, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, which announced the approval October 28. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027, with operations targeted for 2029.

The facility will be located approximately 10.4 miles offshore and will include four liquefaction systems, each designed to produce 2.1 million metric tons of LNG annually. Together, the systems would provide a total capacity of 8.4 million metric tons per year.

Planned infrastructure also includes 20 platforms, four floating LNG storage units, four mooring systems and 7.7 miles of pipeline.

The Department of Trasportation said the license review was completed through an expedited process, with the final environmental impact statement finalized in 410 days.

"This project will unleash American energy – ensuring demand for Texas’ bountiful natural gas and the men and women who extract it continues to grow," said U.S. Transportation Sec. Sean Duffy. "Building this state-of-the-art port will also generate thousands of jobs in the Gulf and cement our nation’s status as the number one energy exporter in the world."

The agency said the review was nearly 3.7 years faster than the historical average, representing a 70% reduction in review time and the fastest deepwater port license review in more than two decades.

The license approval advances the proposed project toward construction, although the facility remains subject to development and construction milestones before it can begin exporting LNG.