Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE) and Saudi Aramco announced their respective subsidiaries, Sempra LNG and Aramco Services Company, have signed a heads of agreement (HOA).
The HOA anticipates the negotiation and finalization of a definitive 20-year liquefied natural gas (LNG) sale-and-purchase agreement (SPA) for five million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of LNG offtake from Phase 1 of the Port Arthur LNG export-project under development. It also includes the negotiation and finalization of a 25% equity investment in Phase 1 of Port Arthur LNG.
The proposed Port Arthur LNG Phase 1 project is expected to include two liquefaction trains, up to three LNG storage tanks and associated facilities that should enable the export of approximately 11 Mtpa of LNG on a long-term basis. Port Arthur LNG could be one of the largest LNG export projects in North America, with potential expansion capabilities of up to eight liquefaction trains or approximately 45 Mtpa of capacity.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Energy issued Port Arthur LNG’s authorization to export domestically produced natural gas to countries that do not have a free trade agreement with the U.S. Last month, Port Arthur LNG and its affiliates received authorization from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to site, construct and operate the liquefaction export facility and related natural gas pipelines.
Port Arthur LNG is one of Sempra LNG’s five strategically-located LNG development opportunities in North America and is a component of Sempra LNG’s goal of delivering 45 Mtpa of clean natural gas to the global LNG market.
Development of Sempra Energy’s LNG export projects is contingent upon obtaining additional customer commitments, completing the required commercial agreements, securing all necessary permits, obtaining financing, incentives and other factors, and reaching a final investment decision. The ultimate participation by Aramco Services Company and its affiliates in the Port Arthur LNG project remains subject to finalization of definitive agreements, among other factors.