Rio Grande lights the way for US LNG

Texas export facility’s remarkable turnaround will give fresh hope to other gas projects looking to secure FID

LNG developer NextDecade’s announcement of FID on construction of the first three liquefaction trains at its Rio Grande LNG export facility may have been expected in mid-July but that should not diminish its significance. The plant could be a bellwether for other US LNG projects, the fate of which may lie in the balance. The Texas LNG project has suffered repeated delays after being in development for several years, largely due to the ramp-up of pressure against gas amid an increasing climate focus from banks financing the deal. The $18.4b committed for Phase 1 is the largest greenfield energy project financing in US history and underscores the critical role that gas and LNG will continue to