A. Lee Graham Reporter
Freeport LNG Expansion LP and FLNG Liquefaction LLC of Houston have been conditionally authorized to export domestically produced liquefied natural gas to countries without free-trade agreements with the United States. Gas will be exported from Freeport’s terminal on Quintana Island near Freeport, Texas after the U.S. Energy Department announced Freeport to perform the role. The Friday announcement comes after Freeport received approval to export liquefied natural gas from the facility to free-trade agreement countries in early 2011. Subject to environmental review and final regulatory approval, the facility is conditionally authorized to export up to 1.4 billion cubic feet of natural gas a day for 20 years. The Energy Department granted the first authorization to export liquefied natural gas to non-free trade agreement countries in May 2011 for the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal in Cameron Parish, La. at a rate of up to 2.2 cubic feet of natural gas a day. “The development of U.S. natural gas resources is having a transformative impact on the U.S. energy landscape, helping to improve our energy security while spurring economic development and job creation around the country,” reads part of an Energy Department news release. The Energy Department said it conducted an extensive, careful review of the application to export liquefied natural gas from the Freeport LNG Terminal. Among other factors, the Department considered economic, energy security, and environmental impacts, as well as public comments for and against the application.