Sempra LNG Marketing LLC may begin exporting previously imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the Cameron LNG Terminal in Cameron Parish, LA, beginning Feb. 1, provided an affiliate receives the necessary FERC authorization, the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Fossil Energy (DOE/FE) said.

The company has DOE/FE clearance to re-export up to 250 Bcf total over a two-year period. “The authorization of this order will not permit the export of domestically produced LNG,” the order stated. No new terminal facilities are required for re-export, according to Sempra. However, Sempra Energy affiliate Cameron LNG, the owner of the terminal, must obtain authority from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for operational changes at the terminal, the order said.

“DOE/FE has issued recent blanket authorizations to export previously imported LNG and in each case cited the evidence of record which indicates that United States consumers presently have access to substantial quantities of natural gas sufficient to meet domestic demand from multiple other sources at competitive prices without drawing on the LNG which Sempra seeks to export,” the order said.

“…[N]o interested person intervened in this proceeding or otherwise challenged Sempra’s assertions of sufficient supplies to meet domestic demand if the application is granted.”

Sempra sought re-export rights in September (see Daily GPI, Sept. 9).

In May 2009 FERC granted a request of Freeport LNG Development LP for authority to re-export LNG (see Daily GPI, May 11, 2009). In October 2008 FERC said Sabine Pass LNG LP not have to go through the mandatory pre-filing process for modifications to allow LNG re-export from its terminal in southwest Louisiana (see Daily GPI, Oct. 10, 2008).

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