LNG

US developer Argent LNG is targeting a final investment decision (FID) within two years after securing Department of Energy approval to export nearly 1.3 trillion cubic feet per year (Tcf/y) of LNG from its proposed Port Fourchon terminal to countries with US free trade agreements.

Prolonged price volatility in LNG markets is upending sales and purchase agreements (SPAs) as traders sound alarm over JCC/Henry Hub swings eroding fixed-price economics.

Argent LNG has reached an early milestone at its 25 mtpa export terminal at Port Forchon, Louisiana, with the submission of a Letter of Intent (LOI) and Preliminary Waterway Suitability Assessment (PWSA) to the U.S. Coast Guard.

US company Argent LNG, with plans to develop a liquefaction plant at Port Fourchon in Louisiana, has selected Chart Industries to supply modular processing equipment.

Argent is proposing a facility at a 144-acre site west of Belle Pass on the Louisiana Gulf Coast with an initial capacity of 10 million tonnes per annum which could be doubled.

The Argent plant will feature modules and the volumes produced would be targeted at the LNG maritime fuel market.

These include the next-generation of LNG-powered Offshore Supply Vessels (OSVs) in the Gulf of Mexico.

Atlanta, Georgia-based Chart will be supplying its Integrated Pre-Cooled Single Mixed Refrigerant (IPSMR®) processing technology to the Louisiana plant.

Advantages

“Chart’s IPSMR sets a new standard for efficiency and performance in liquefaction, surpassing conventional technologies and enabling Argent LNG to tailor its liquefaction systems precisely to site-specific conditions,” explained Chart.

Chart said that its equipment has the capability to optimize the matching of gas turbine power with single cold box capacity, ensuring maximum operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

“We are excited to embark on this transformative journey with Chart Industries,” said Jonathan Bass, CEO at Argent LNG.

“Their mid-scale modular model perfectly aligns with our vision for an agile and efficient LNG facility,” stated Bass.

“The technology's superior performance will empower us to optimize operations and deliver a compelling, competitive solution to the market, which is scheduled to come online in 2029-2030,” added Bass.

Chart has listed the advantages of its technology including cost and the ease of fine-tuning system configuration while maintaining high performance standards.

Engineering start

“We are excited to partner with Argent LNG to provide our IPSMR® technology, brazed aluminum heat exchangers, coldboxes and air coolers,” stated Jill Evanko, Chart’s Chief Executive and President.

“Argent is strategically optimising a 20 MTPA LNG facility by moving entirely to modular, resulting in a smaller footprint, higher efficiency and less cost, and therefore offering their customers the most efficient and effective solution,” Evanko added.

Chart said it had begun engineering work related to the Argent project and anticipated booking an IPSMR® technology and equipment order in 2025.