Overview:

Under DOE’s regulations, applications to import or export natural gas, including liquefied natural gas (LNG), into or from the United States must identify “all the participants in the transaction, including the parent company, if any, and identification of any corporate or other affiliations among the participants.”  10 C.F.R. § 590.202(b)(3).  Either before or after DOE issues a final authorization, however, the ownership or management of the entity may change hands, resulting in a change in control (CIC).

Please see DOE’s Procedures for Changes in Control Affecting Applications and Authorizations To Import or Export Natural Gas, 79 Fed. Reg. 65,541 (Nov. 5, 2014) (Procedures), for the regulations and procedures that apply depending on whether an applicant or an authorization holder undergoes a change in control.

As set forth in the Procedures, DOE construes a change in control to mean a change, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct the management or policies of an entity whether such power is exercised through one or more intermediary companies or pursuant to an agreement, written or oral, and whether such power is established through ownership or voting of securities, or common directors, officers, or stockholders, or voting trusts, holding trusts, or debt holdings, or contract, or any other direct or indirect means.  A rebuttable presumption that control exists will arise from the ownership or the power to vote, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of the voting securities of such entity.  See id. at 65,542.

In 2019, DOE further explained that the Procedures pertain to “external transfers or assignments, not purely internal corporate reorganizations”—such as those involving a “reshuffling of wholly-owned subsidiaries within the same parent organization.”  See DOE’s Response to Port Arthur LNG’s Notice of Internal Corporate Reorganization, Docket Nos. 15-53-LNG, 18-162-LNG, and 15-96-LNG (Apr. 11, 2019).

For questions pertaining to DOE’s change in control procedures, please contact the Division of Natural Gas Regulation at FERGAS@hq.doe.gov.

Service Requirement:

Any applicant or authorization holder submitting a change in control filing to DOE’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) must comply with DOE’s service requirements, set forth in 10 C.F.R. § 590.107.  This includes serving a copy of the filing on all parties on the official service list for the applicable docket(s). 

CIC Proceedings:

Applications submitted to FECM requesting a change in control, and FECM’s responses to date, are listed below in chronological order. 

 

DOCKET NO.

AUTHORIZATION HOLDER

DATE

SUBMITTED

DOE

RESPONSE

1.

14-001-CIC, 11-145-LNG, 11-162-LNG

Cameron LNG, LLC

02/12/2014
04/02/2014

Order 3452 - Approving Change In Control of Export Authorizations

2.

14-003-CIC, 12-174-LNG
14-002-CIC, 12-184-LNG

Pangea LNG (North America) Holdings, LLC

03/31/2014
03/31/2014

Notice of Corporate Reorganization of Change in Control and Amendment of Pending Application to Export LNG to Non-free Trade Agreement Countries to Reflect Name Change to NextDecade Partners, LLC

3.

14-004-CIC; 13-140-LNG

Annova LNG Common Infrastructure, LLC

07/03/2014

Order 3464 Approving Change in Control to Annova LNG Common Infrastructure, LLC (FTANs) 

4.

14-005-CIC; 10-160-LNG; 10-161-LNG, 11-161-LNG and 12-06-LNG

Freeport LNG Expansion, L.P., FLNG Liquefaction, LLC, FLNG Liquefaction 2, LLC and FLNG Liquefaction 3, LLC

07/03/2014

Order 3495 - Approving Change in Control of Export Authorizations FE Dkts. 10-161-LNG; 10-160-LNG; 11-161-LNG; and 12-06-LNG

5.


13-69-LNG and
14-88-LNG

 

Venture Global Calcasieu Pass, LLC (formerly Venture Global LNG, LLC)

09/22/2014

Notice of Corporate Reorganization or Change in Control and Amendment for Pending Applications to Export LNG to Free Trade Agreement Countries

Notice of Corporate Reorganization or Change in Control and Amendment for Pending Applications to Export LNG to Non-free Trade Agreement Countries

6.

14-19-LNG and

14-29-LNG

Louisiana LNG Energy, LLC (acquisition by Parallax Enterprises (NOLA) LLC)

05/21/2015
10/02/2015
 

Notice of Corporate Reorganization or Change in Control and Amendment of Authorization to Export Liquefied Natural Gas to Free Trade Agreement Countries.

Notice of Corporate Reorganization or Change in Control and Amendment of Authorization to Export Liquefied Natural Gas to Non-free Trade Agreement Countries.

Order Correcting Change in Control and Amendment Reflecting Louisiana LNG Energy, LLC as Authorization Holder

Order Correcting Notice of Corporate Reorganization or CIC and Amendment of Authorization

7.

14-179-LNG

Pieridae Energy (USA) Ltd.

12/18/2015

Response to  Erik J.A. Swenson Granting Pieridae's CIC Request of December 18, 2015

8.

12-152-LNG and 13-153-LNG

Commonwealth LNG, LLC (formerly Waller LNG Services, LLC (d/b/a Waller Point LNG)

12/23/2015

Notice of Corporate Reorganization or Change in Control and Corporate Name Change Amending DOE/FE Order No. 3211 Pending NFTA Application in FE Docket No. 13-153-LNG

9.

10-85-LNG; 10-111-LNG; 12-97-LNG; 12-99-LNG; 13-30-LNG; 13-42-LNG; 13-121-LNG; 14-31-LNG; 14-92-LNG; 14-186-NG; 15-63-LNG; 15-97-LNG  and 15-171-LNG

Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC, Cheniere Marketing, LLC, and Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC

01/15/2016

Letter Regarding Change in Control

Updated Letter Regarding Change in Control

 

10.

11-59-LNG; 03-76-LNG; 04-39-LNG; 05-114-LNG, 06-03-LNG; 06-04-LNG; 06-086-LNG and 08--64-LNG

Lake Charles Exports, LLC and BG LNG Services, LLC             

02/17/2016

Response and Acceptance to Statement of Change in Control Notification of 2/17/16

Errata to 7/26/16 Response to CIC Letter Correcting Docket No. from FE Dkt. No. 06-08-LNG to 06-06-LNG

11.

15-62-LNG

Texas LNG Brownsville LLC

02/18/2016

Letter to Applicant Approving Request for Change in Control 

 

12.

14-005-CIC; 10-160-LNG; 10-161-LNG, 11-161-LNG and 12-06-LNG

Freeport LNG Expansion, L.P., FLNG Liquefaction, LLC, FLNG Liquefaction 2, LLC and FLNG Liquefaction 3, LLC

03/02/2016

Letter Approving the Change in Control as to Previously Issued NFTA LNG Export Authorizations.

 

13.

13-26-LNG

Main Pass LMC AS (MPEH LLC) (formerly Freeport-McMoRan LLC)

09/29/2016
11/15/2016

Letter to John S. Decker Responding to Change in Control Request Letters Submitted to the Department on September 29, 2016 and November 15, 2016 to Grant Transfer of FME to MPEH LLC

14.

14-63-CNG

Pentagon Energy, L.L.C. (formerly Wentworth Gas Marketing LLC)

01/25/2017

Response Statement Granting Request for Change in Control 

15.

16-144-LNG

Driftwood LNG LLC

02/17/2017

Statement and Notice of Change in Control 

16.

14-179-LNG

Pieridae Energy (USA) Ltd.

05/22/2017
11/01/2017

Statement Regarding Change in Control

17.

12-183-LNG; 13-131-LNG; 13-132-LNG

Magnolia LNG, LLC

07/20/2017

Letter in Response to 07/20/17 Amending Description of Equity Commitment

18.

15-190-LNG

Rio Grande LNG, LLC

08/23/2017

Response to CIC Request for Change in Ownership and Notice of Amendment

19.

10-85-LNG; 10-111-LNG; 13-30-LNG; 13-42-LNG; 13-121-LNG; 14-92-LNG; 15-63-LNG; 16-197-LNG and 17-161-LNG

Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC

12/19/2017


Response to 12/19/17 CIC Notification

 

20.

14-209-LNG and 15-19-LNG

American LNG Marketing, LLC

01/09/2018

Response to Change in Control Request Submitted January 9, 2018

21.

11-127-LNG and 12-32-LNG

Jordan Cove Energy Project L.P.

02/06/2018

Response to Change in Control Request

 

22.

11-145-LNG; 11-162-LNG; 14-204-LNG; 15-36-LNG; 15-67-LNG; 15-90-LNG

Cameron LNG, LLC

03/23/2018

Letter in Response to March 23, 2018 Notifying the Department to the CIC on behalf of Cameron LNG, LLC

Letter Granting Proposed Change in Control Immediately

23.

15-53-LNG and 15-96-LNG

Port Arthur LNG, LLC

03/30/2018

 

24.

11-145-LNG; 11-162-LNG; 14-204-LNG; 15-36-LNG; 15-67-LNG; 15-90-LNG; 16-34-LNG

Cameron LNG, LLC

03/30/2018

 

 

25.

13-129-LNG and 13-147-LNG

Delfin LNG, LLC.

07/11/2018

Response to Request for Change in Control

Letter Granting Request for CIC

26.

14-179-LNG

Pieridae Energy (USA) Ltd.

08/31/2018

Granting CIC Request for Long-Term Authorization

27.

13-140-LNG; 19-34-LNG

Annova LNG Common Infrastructure, LLC

11/16/2018
03/29/2019

Response to 11/16/18 Statement of Change in Control

28.

15-53-LNG, 18-162-LNG, and 15-96-LNG

Port Arthur LNG, LLC

01/04/2019
02/01/2019
04/09/2019

Letter Responding to CIC Notification submitted by Port Arthur to the Department

29.

15-62-LNG

Texas LNG Brownsville LLC

04/12/2019
05/20/2019

Response to CIC Request

30.

13-140-LNG; 19-34-LNG

Annova LNG Common Infrastructure, LLC

04/26/2019

Letter to Brian Wright in Response to Change in Ownership Filed 4/26/19

31.

12-88-LNG and 12-156-LNG

Golden Pass LNG Terminal LLC (formerly Golden Pass Products LLC)

07/17/2019

Order Granting Request to Transfer Authorizations and Responding to Statement of Change in Control

32.

18-144-LNG

ECA Liquefaction, S. de R.L. de C.V. (formerly Energia Costa Azul, S. de R.L. de C.V.)

08/15/2019
09/09/2019

Order Granting Request to Transfer Authorizations (transferring authorization to ECA Liquefaction, S. de R.L. de C.V.) 

 

33.

13-69-LNG; 14-88-LNG; 15-25-LNG

Venture Global Calcasieu Pass, LLC

09/06/2019

Notification Regarding Equity Ownership Change in Accordance with Procedures for Change in Control

34.

11-115-LNG, 11-128-LNG, 18-180-LNG, 19-156-LNG

Dominion Energy Cove Point LNG, LP

10/23/2019
02/11/2020

Statement and Notice of Change in Control 

35.

14-179-LNG

Pieridae Energy (USA) Ltd.

11/06/2019

Notice of Change in Control

36.

18-70-LNG

Mexico Pacific Limited LLC

11/18/2019
01/14/2020

Notice of Change in Control 

37.

12-183-LNG, 13-131-LNG, 13-132-LNG

Magnolia LNG, LLC

06/24/2020

Statement and Notice Regarding Change in Control

38.

14-96-LNG

Alaska LNG Project LLC

07/06/2020

Response to Notification Regarding Change in Control 

39.

11-115-LNG, 11-128-LNG, 18-180-LNG, 19-156-LNG

Dominion Energy Cove Point LNG, LP

07/09/2020

Notification Regarding Change in Control 

40.

10-85-LNG, 10-111-LNG, 13-30-LNG, 13-42-LNG, 13-121-LNG, 14-92-LNG, 15-63-LNG, 19-125-LNG, 19-133-LNG, 20-28-LNG and 20-114-LNG

Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC

09/23/2020

Response to Notification Regarding Change in Indirect Equity Ownership

41.

18-144-LNG

ECA Liquefaction, S. de R.L. de C.V.

01/07/2021

Statement of Change in Control

42.

11-145-LNG. 14-204-LNG, 15-36-LNG, 11-162-LNG, 15-67-LNG, 15-90-LNG, 19-62-LNG, 19-45-NG, 18-144-LNG, 18-145-LNG, 15-53-LNG, 15-96-LNG, 18-162-LNG, 20-23-LNG, 20-43-NG, 19-65-LNG, 20-52-LNG, 20-145-NG, & 20-153-LNG

Cameron LNG, LLC, et al.

04/30/2021
05/03/2021
05/19/2021

DOE's Response to Statement of Change in Control

43.

18-70-LNG

Mexico Pacific Limited LLC

10/27/2021
11/23/2021

Notification Regarding Change in Control

44. 10-160-LNG, 10-161-LNG, 11-161-LNG, 12-06-LNG, 16-108-LNG, 18-26-LNG, 21-98-LNG

Freeport LNG Development, L.P.

01/13/2022
01/27/2022
03/03/2022
Order Approving Change in Control
45. 11-145-LNG, 11-162-LNG, 14-204-LNG, 15-36-LNG, 15-67-LNG, 15-90-LNG, 21-50-NG, 18-144-LNG, 18-145-LNG, 15-53-LNG, 15-96-LNG, 18-162-LNG, 20-23-LNG, 20-43-NG, 21-83-NG, 20-52-LNG, 20-145-NG, 20-153-LNG Cameron LNG, LLC, et al. 02/22/2022 Order 4815 Approving Change in Control 
46. 18-78-LNG Corpus Christi Liquefaction Stage III, LLC 03/28/2022

Response to the Notice of Corporate Reorganization and Request for Transfer

Order Granting Request to Amend Authorizations to Export Liquefied Natural Gas to Reflect Corporate Reorganization

47. 20-73-CNG Andalusian Energy, LLC 04/01/2022 Response to Statement and Notice of Change in Control
48. 11-59-LNG, 16-110-LNG Lake Charles Exports, LLC 05/17/2022 Response to Notice of Change in Control
49. 15-53-LNG, 15-96-LNG, 18-162-LNG Port Arthur LNG, LLC 12/21/2022 Response to Notice of Change in Control
50. 21-53-NG, 21-59-NG, 21-73-NG Hudson Energy Services, LLC; Just Energy New York Corp.; Just Energy Ontario, L.P. 01/13/2023 Response to Notice of Change in Control
51. 15-53-LNG, 15-96-LNG, 18-162-LNG Port Arthur LNG, LLC 04/25/2023  
52. 11-115-LNG, 11-128-LNG, 22-22-LNG, 22-155-LNG Cove Point LNG, LP 07/11/2023  
53. 15-190-LNG Rio Grande LNG, LLC 08/16/2023