Houston-based mega independent ConocoPhillips on Thursday clinched a tentative agreement for long-term offtake and a 30% equity stake in Sempra Infrastructure’s proposed Port Arthur LNG project near Houston.

The “potentially significant expansion” sets the world’s largest independent on course to become a global liquefied natural gas player. San-Diego’s Sempra said ConocoPhillips would also take 5 million metric tons/year (mmty) of LNG in a 20-year tolling arrangement from the still unsanctioned terminal.

ConocoPhillips CEO Ryan Lance said the deal could be a chance to play a larger role in global development of the LNG industry to build on its long history as a “driving force” in opening Atlantic and Asia-Pacific LNG markets.

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