HOUSTON, TEXAS – Commonwealth LNG received notification today that its proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility to be located in Cameron Parish Louisiana is federally authorized to export LNG to any country with which the United States has entered into a free trade agreement (FTA) requiring national treatment for trade in natural gas.

The approval came in the form of an order from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy in response to an application Commonwealth originally filed in October of 2019 and supplemented earlier this week. Under its provisions, Commonwealth LNG will be authorized to export up to 9.5 million metric tons per annum (mpta) of LNG for a 25-year term to FTA nations. A portion of Commonwealth LNG’s application that seeks authorization to export LNG to non-FTA countries will be reviewed in a separate order.

“We’re pleased to share news of this positive development in the progress of our project during an otherwise challenging period in the energy industry,” said Commonwealth LNG President and CEO Paul Varello. “The current disruption in the LNG market is likely to put an increased focus on cost-efficient processes to develop and operate these facilities and we believe our Cameron Parish facility will be a leading option in that regard.”

Commonwealth LNG expects to take a final investment decision in Q2 of 2021 and deliver its first shipments of LNG in Q3 of 2024.