WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the signing of two long-term orders authorizing the export of domestically produced liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Tellurian Inc.’s Driftwood LNG export facility to be built in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, and Sempra Energy’s Port Arthur LNG export project to be built in Port Arthur, Texas.  The signing is part of the EU-U.S. Energy Council High-Level Business to Business Energy Forum held in Brussels. 

Under the orders signed today, Driftwood and Port Arthur are authorized to export up to 3.88 and 1.91 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of natural gas as LNG, respectively, to any countries that do not have a free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States and that are not prohibited under U.S. law or policy. 

Driftwood and Port Arthur each received authorization to site, construct, and operate their projects from Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on April 18, 2019.  

“The Driftwood and Port Arthur exports will ensure that U.S. LNG continues to impact our friends and allies across the globe,” said Secretary Perry, who signed the orders. “The United States is the world’s leading producer of natural gas, and our exports provide a reliable, diverse, and secure source of energy to countries looking to diversify their energy portfolios.” 

“The Department of Energy continues to act quickly on LNG orders after their review at FERC,” noted Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy Steven Winberg, who was present at today’s signing ceremony. “DOE is proud to do our part to unlock this important energy infrastructure that benefits both the United States and our trading partners here in the EU and around the globe.” 

The United States is now in its third consecutive year as a net exporter of natural gas, having exported domestic LNG to 35 countries, more than double the number of countries reached by U.S. LNG prior to the beginning of the Trump Administration.

Increased natural gas production in the United States continues to enhance global energy security while stimulating domestic economic development and job creation.  The U.S. Energy Information Administration expects a continued increase in domestic natural gas production, with an average dry natural gas production rate of 91 Bcf/d in 2019 and 92.5 Bcf/d in 2020, both new records.

The orders to Driftwood LNG, LLC and Port Arthur LNG, LLC, can be found here.

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