CAMERON PARISH, La. (KPLC) – The country’s first offshore LNG facility is one step closer to becoming a reality off the coast of Cameron Parish.
The Maritime Administration has authorized Delfin Midstream to construct, operate, and eventually decommission a deepwater liquefied natural gas export facility, Delfin LNG, almost 40 miles in the gulf, according to MARAD’s website.
Delfin LNG would support up to three floating liquefied natural gas vessels and produce up to 13.2 million tonnes of LNG per annum.(Delfin Midstream)
According to Delfin’s website, the project would support up to three floating LNG vessels that would produce up to 13.2 million tonnes of LNG per annum. Each vessel would be connected to existing offshore pipelines that transport natural gas from the U.S. pipeline grid.
The project would utilize the UTOS pipeline, formerly owned and operated by Enbridge and the only 42-inch pipeline in the gulf. The pipeline runs from Transco Station 44 in Cameron Parish to the WC-167 platform. The project would also repurpose the HIOS pipeline to transport natural gas from the UTOS pipeline to the deepwater port.
According to an order issued on March 10 by the Department of Energy, Delfin seeks to reach a final investment decision later this year and have construction of the facility begin.
Delfin has until June 1, 2029, to begin commercial exports from the project to non-free trade agreement countries, according to DOE’s order. To read the full order, click HERE.
The Delfin LNG project was originally approved by DOE in 2017.
Delfin also owns the Grand Chenier pipeline, a 30-inch pipeline. According to Delfin’s website, it will be developed either for a second deepwater port project, Avocet LNG, or to improve the operations at Delfin LNG.
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