Tellurian Inc. said Monday it would soon start work on its Driftwood liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal on the Louisiana coast by self-funding basic construction ahead of a final investment decision (FID).

The Houston-based company gave approval for Bechtel Energy Inc. to start work on the first phase – 11 million metric tons/year (mmty)– of the proposed 27 mmty project near Lake Charles, LA. 

The project has not been sanctioned. Anticipation of a possible FID has been brewing since it was approved in 2019 by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The project was originally proposed to begin liquefaction this year when initial applications were filed in 2017.

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