The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced it has approved a deepwater port license application for ST LNG, LLC.
The MARAD takeover of deepwater port licensing cut red tape delays, the U.S. DOT said, making the ST LNG, LLC’s license review the fastest in more than 20 years. The $8.2 billion deepwater liquefied natural gas (LNG) port will support more than 2,000 construction jobs and up to 855 permanent jobs, expand American LNG export capacity by 7 to 9 percent, and feature four 2.1 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) liquefaction systems.
“This project will unleash American energy – ensuring demand for Texas’ bountiful natural gas and the men and women who extract it continues to grow,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said. “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 ST LNG deepwater port, built some 10 miles offshore from Matagorda, TX, is expected to begin construction in 2027, with the port coming online in 2029. Once it is at full capacity, the port will include 20 platforms, four floating LNG storage units, four mooring systems and 7.7 miles of pipeline. The port location is expected to move vessel traffic away from onshore areas to reduce vessel collisions and safety risks. Tres Palacios Natural Gas Storage and Trading Hub and the Williams Markham Gas Processing Plant will supply the feed gas for the port through an existing Transco pipeline approximately 5.6 miles northeast of the port.
“Approving the ST LNG deepwater port license—our third approval under the Trump Administration—proves we can accelerate the safe development of crucial energy infrastructure that will strengthen our supply chains and drive down energy prices,” MARAD Administrator Stephen M. Carmel said.