The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has authorized additional non-free trade agreement exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Sempra Energy’s Cameron LNG terminal, whose first phase is under construction in Louisiana.

DOE authorized export of an additional 1.41 Bcf/d of LNG from the proposed expansion of the liquefaction project. With the latest order, the terminal is authorized to export 3.53 Bcf/d, or 24.92 million tons per annum of LNG.

Earlier this year, Cameron LNG received approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to site, construct and operate the proposed expansion project, which will include up to two additional liquefaction trains (trains 4 and 5) and one additional full containment LNG storage tank (tank No. 5) (see Daily GPI, May 10). The expansion will be located next to the Cameron LNG terminal and liquefaction facilities that were approved for construction in 2014 in Hackberry, LA (see Daily GPI, June 19, 2014).

Construction of the first phase of the $10 billion project (trains No. 1-3) is under way. The facility is expected to begin operations during 2018, with the first full year of operations in 2019.

The proposed expansion project is subject to completion of commercial agreements, as well as additional approvals, financing and a final investment decision.

Cameron LNG Holdings LLC is a joint venture owned by affiliates of Sempra Energy, ENGIE, Mitsui & Co. Ltd. and Japan LNG Investment LLC, which is a joint venture formed by affiliates of Mitsubishi Corp. and Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha.