Excelerate Pursues Another First with Texas FLNG Project

Excelerate Energy L.P. proudly ticks off a list of firsts that it has contributed to the realm of floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) technology and services on its website. Indeed, in less than 10 years the Texas-based company has made the following noteworthy accomplishments:

  • delivered the world's first floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU)
  • commissioned the world's first deepwater LNG port
  • completed the world's first gas port
  • commissioned the first LNG facility on the U.S. East Coast in 30 years
  • commissioned the first LNG regasification facility in South America
  • performed the world's first dockside ship-to-ship (STS) transfer of LNG
  • commissioned the first LNG import facility in the Middle East

This past February, Excelerate filed an application with the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to build, own and operate the first floating LNG (FLNG) export facility in the United States. The proposed Lavaca Bay LNG Project would provide a significant economic boost to the Texas Gulf Coast. It would create 2,500 construction jobs and approximately 180 direct jobs during operations, according to Excelerate. Moreover, the project would add more than 600 other permanent jobs to the region's economy, the company states on its website.

Adding FLNG to the United States' nascent LNG export sector creates an interesting twist to the evolving domestic natural gas export story. Rigzone recently caught up with Rob Bryngelson, Excelerate's president and CEO, to discuss what could be his company's next first.

Rigzone: What are the advantages of an FLNG project for natural gas producers as well as the companies that would buy LNG from Excelerate? 

Bryngelson: FLNG facilities have a smaller land footprint, are more cost-efficient and have a shorter time to market than conventional terminals. With 45 months from final investment decision (FID) to commercial operations, FLNG facilities allow for early gas and LNG monetization. Lastly, there is greater cost control with construction taking place in a controlled shipyard environment.

Rigzone: Compared to the other LNG export projects that have been proposed along the Texas Gulf Coast, what niche would Lavaca Bay LNG fill?

Bryngelson: We see an opportunity with the Lavaca Bay LNG project because of its ability to access up to nine pipeline interconnects – making it one of the most attractive gas sourcing costs of all U.S. projects.


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