FERC Issues Final Environmental Review for Commonwealth LNG Export Project

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Sept. 9 issued its final environmental report for the Commonwealth LNG project, which includes a proposal to construct a natural gas liquefaction and export terminal in Louisiana. The study found that the project, with recommended mitigation measures in the report, would result in some adverse effects on the environment, which would be reduced to less than significant levels. However, there would be significant impacts on visual resources and environmental justice communities.

The study complies with the National Environmental Policy Act, Council on Environmental Quality regulations, and FERC regulations. Commonwealth LNG LLC intends to construct and operate a natural gas liquefaction plant that aims to liquefy and export LNG to foreign markets. Domestically produced natural gas would be sourced from the existing interstate and intrastate pipeline systems of Kinetica and Bridgeline, respectively, in southwest Louisiana.

Major Components of the Project:

• a natural gas liquefaction plant with an annual capacity of 8.4 million-metric-ton
• six gas pre-treatment trains
• two gas flare system with a total of four flares
• six 50,000 cubic meter LNG storage tanks
• marine facilities including LNG carrier berth, barge dock, and vessel manoeuvring area
• a three-mile, 42-inch-diameter pipeline

Commonwealth filed an application (Docket No. CP19-502-000) in August 2019 requesting commission approval to construct and operate the natural gas liquefaction plant and export terminal. The company expects FER approval by the end of the year. Preliminary site work would then commence in early 2023 with the final investment decision targeted for the third quarter of 2023. The company anticipates commercial operations to begin in Q3 2026.