LNG

Feedgas flows from the United States to Mexico are on pace for a record June as Energía Costa Azul LNG project prepares for export start-up. Sempra began producing LNG at the 3.25 mtpa terminal on June 4, with commercial exports due to begin in September.

Sempra's Energía Costa Azul (ECA) LNG terminal has received its first feedgas with a view to start LNG production this spring. The Pacific-facing terminal is targeting Asian markets, with offtake by TotalEnergies and Mitsui supporting Phase 1 project economics.

Sempra Infrastructure, through its subsidiary IEnova, has received a six-month regulatory extension to begin exports of US-sourced LNG from the Phase 1 of its Energía Costa Azul LNG project in Baja California, Mexico. An order, signed by US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, extends the deadline to September 21, 2026.

US pipeline gas exports to Mexico have surged, reaching a record 7.5 Bcf/d in May, as emerging LNG feedgas demand tightens cross-border supply. More than 70% of exported US gas to Mexico is used for power generation, but this share will shift once Fast LNG Altamira 2 and Energía Costa Azul begin operations.

Commissioning delays have pushed back the timeline for Costa Azul LNG’s first 3.25 mtpa train, which is now expected to begin commercial operations in the first quarter of 2026. Train 2 remains in the early stages of development, envisioned to expand total capacity to 12 mtpa.

The value of US-Mexico trade is shifting as Mexico evolves as a conduit for re-exporting American gas to global LNG markets. Though US exports rose 5% the trade value fell more than 30% to $4.2 billion during the first half of 2025, largely due to lower fuel prices.

Sempra, the US utility company with power and natural gas services centred on California and Texas and LNG developments in the US and Mexico through the Sempra Infrastructure subsidiary, reported a surge in net income for the year and the fourth quarter.

Mexico, a future LNG exporter to Asia with three plants being developed on the Pacific Coast, has revealed plans that are a hidden part of the future energy policies of many resource-rich nations that it will stop exporting oil in 2023 and keep the oil for itself to guarantee fuel supplies.

July 16 (LNGJ) - BP Gas Marketing is scheduled to deliver an LNG cargo on July 16 with purchased carbon offsets to the Sempra Energy-controlled terminal at Costa Azul on the Pacific Coast of Mexico. The facility is currently undergoing work to be transformed into an export plant. “Sempra LNG continues to build a strong business portfolio focused on sustainability and the global energy transition,” said Justin Bird, Chief Executive of Sempra LNG.

Sempra Energy, the California company operating the Cameron LNG export plant in Louisiana, has signed a fixed-price contract with US engineer Bechtel to construct its second Gulf Coast plant at Port Arthur in Texas to be backed by a subsidiary of Saudi Aramco, the largest oil producing company.