The U.S. Energy Department on Sept. 19 authorized Mexico Pacific Limited LLC to export up to 621 billion cubic feet per year of natural gas by pipeline for end use in Mexico and to re-export the gas after liquefaction in Mexico to countries with which the U.S. has a free trade agreement or FTA countries. The approval is for a period of 20 years, from the date of commencing exports or five years from the date of the department’s authorization. Mexico Pacific’s request to re-export the gas to non-free trade agreement nations will be reviewed separately. The company is developing a LNG production and storage facility in the State of Sonora, Mexico, from where the U.S.-sourced gas in the form of LNG will be delivered to markets in Mexico and re-exported to FTA countries. Mexico Pacific is owned by MPL Pacific Limited LLC, which is jointly owned by DKRW Energy Sonora Holding and ACAP Sonora Energy LLC. DKRW Sonora Holding LLC is a subsidiary of DKRW Energy LLC, and ACAP Sonora Energy is owned by a subsidiary of AECOM.