Texas Offshore LNG Export Terminal Clears US Environmental Review

US regulators have completed the final environmental review of a proposed offshore liquefied natural gas export terminal capable of handling up to 8.4m tonnes a year. The Maritime Administration published the final environmental impact statement for the ST LNG Deepwater Port project off the Texas coast.

The terminal would sit about 10.4 nautical miles off Matagorda in 65-72 ft of water, loading LNG onto conventional carriers of 125,000 to 180,000 cu m for export to both free-trade and non-free-trade partner countries.

The project has not yet received its deepwater port licence; the completed assessment will inform the Maritime Administration's decision to approve, conditionally approve or reject it. A final public hearing is set for August 12 in Bay City, Texas, with no final investment decision or construction timetable yet announced.