The developer of the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facility in Mexico has successfully shipped an initial cargo, which is on its way to Mexico’s LNG import terminal in Baja California Sur via the Panama Canal. The shipment was produced by New Fortress Energy aboard a Floating LNG (FLNG) production vessel with a capacity to liquefy up to 0.199 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of natural gas. The FLNG production vessel is part of the Fast LNG Altamira export project, which is located on the east coast of Mexico and uses U.S. natural gas delivered via the Sur de Texas-Tuxpan pipeline.
The FLNG production vessel has a modular design and is accompanied by a Floating Storage Vessel (FSU) to store LNG until it is transferred to an LNG vessel carrier for delivery to import destinations. The project’s LNG exports are subject to regulatory approvals from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), which have authorized 0.43 Bcf/d of LNG exports to countries with which the United States has a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Mexico’s LNG import terminal in Baja California Sur is expected to receive the initial cargo, and other LNG export projects are currently under construction or proposed for Mexico’s west coast, including the Energia Costa Azul LNG terminal, Saguaro Energia LNG, Amigo LNG, Gato Negro LNG, Salina Cruz LNG, and Vista Pacifico LNG. These projects have a combined export capacity of nearly 4.5 Bcf/d.
Source: EIA.org
