Sempra Energy’s Port Arthur Pipeline LLC has requested that FERC issue a certificate of public convenience and necessity for its proposed $1.2 billion Louisiana Connector Project, which would supply feed gas to a proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) liquefaction and export facility in Port Arthur, TX.

According to an application filed Monday with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [CP18-7], the project calls for construction of 131 miles of 42-inch diameter pipeline, with a capacity of 2 MMcf/d. It also includes a new compressor station in Allen Parish, LA, interconnections with eight interstate and intrastate natural gas facilities, and other appurtenant facilities.

The Louisiana Connector would supply feed gas to a proposed liquefaction and export facility that is currently under review by FERC [CP17-20] and is being developed by two Port Arthur Pipeline affiliates — Port Arthur LNG LLC and PALNG Common Facilities Co. LLC.

Specifically, the project would extend from an interconnect with Columbia Gas Transmission at a point northeast of Eunice, LA, in St. Landry Parish before traversing Louisiana’s Evangeline, Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu and Cameron parishes. The project would continue across Texas’ Orange and Jefferson counties before terminating at the proposed liquefaction site south of Port Arthur. About 74% of the project (95.6 miles) would run parallel existing pipeline and power line corridors.

Last August, Port Arthur Pipeline held a binding open season requesting bids for firm service on the Louisiana Connector Project. In response to the open season, the company negotiated a binding precedent agreement with Port Arthur LNG for a level of firm service equal to the project’s entire firm transportation capacity.

In an effort to get a jump start on the Louisiana Connector, Port Arthur Pipeline filed a request to initiate FERC’s pre-filing process under the National Environmental Policy Act [PF17-5] last February. The Commission granted the request one month later, and the company proceeded to host several meetings with stakeholders and landowners. FERC staff issued a notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement for the project last May.

Last November, Port Arthur Pipeline filed an application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity for the Texas Connector Project [CP17-21] — two initial segments of the pipeline system, measuring 26.6 and 7.6 miles in length, designed to serve the LNG facilities at Port Arthur.

In its Louisiana Connector filing, Port Arthur Pipeline requested that FERC issue authorizations for both the Louisiana and Texas connectors by Aug. 31, 2018, so the company can meet deadlines with its foundation shipper and place all of the facilities into service by the third quarter of 2022.