LNG

Tecnimont USA has signed a Front‑End Engineering Design (FEED) contract with Argent LNG for the developer’s 25 mtpa export facility at Port Fourchon, Louisiana. First cargo is targeted for 2030.

Jonathan Bass, chairman and CEO of Argent LNG, said the FEED award moves the project “from vision to execution,” adding that Tecnimont’s engineering depth and modular expertise would help deliver a “bankable, buildable” scheme for international buyers.

He reiterated Argent’s aim to supply Europe and other allied markets, with first cargo targeted for 2030.

The FEED agreement, signed on Monday, follows a January 2026 cooperation deal with Tecnimont, the engineering arm of Italy’s MAIRE group. The timing of the contract signing comes as US LNG developers race to secure permits, offtake and financing against a backdrop of strong Atlantic Basin demand.

The FEED phase will specify Argent LNG technical definition and improve bankability ahead of a final investment decision (FID). To that end, Tecnimont’s scope of work will cover project execution planning, schedule and cost estimation, safety and reliability studies, and integration of the facility’s core technology packages, including gas‑pressure treatment and modular design elements.

Hurricane‑resilient energy hub

Port Fourchon, situated just south of New Orleans, has become a focal point for new US LNG export capacity given its deep‑water access and existing pipeline interconnections.

The facility, which will be located in one of the United States’ “hurricane-resilient energy hubs”, will have an initial capacity of 12 mtpa from the first set of modular liquefaction trains, and an explicit option to expand to the full 25 mtpa in a second phase.

In July, the US Department of Energy authorised Argent LNG to export LNG from its proposed Port Fourchon, Louisiana, terminal to countries that have free-trade agreements with the United States.

Deliveries to Albania

Argent has agreements in place with Ukraine and Romania for the supply of LNG.

The developer also signed a memorandum with Albania's government to evaluate development of an onshore LNG storage and regasification terminal with capacity of up to 5 million tonnes per annum. The terminal is intended connect with the Trans Adriatic Pipeline, proposed Ionian Adriatic Pipeline and Fier/Vlore gas corridor.

Project financing could involve the US Trade and Development Agency, US International Development Finance Corp and US Export-Import Bank.

Aug 28 – Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) has started for Live Oak, the large-scale electric Natural Gas (e-NG) project in Norfolk, Nebraska. Initiated by TotalEnergies and TES in 2023, Live Oak has since brought Osaka Gas, Toho Gas and ITOCHU into the consortium, as Japanese buyers seek to source e-NG in addition to LNG to improve their overall environmental footprint.

ASX-listed Horizon Oil has just finalised the engineering concept on its Western LNG development in Papua New Guinea. The 1.5 mpta project will generate US$20-30 billion in revenues over its lifetime, according to Horizon’s new CEO Michael Sheridan.

Leapfrogging forward, partners in the Alaska LNG project have submitted a request to export up to 20 mtpa over a 30-year period to countries that have free trade agreements with the U.S., as well as to non-FTA countries, to the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE).

With a shorter pre-FID and construction schedule, lower capital expenditure and flexibility to move it around, barge-type FLNG projects with a capacity 1 to 1.5 mtpa of having some significant advantages over large floating or land-based liquefaction projects, according to Øivin Iversen, CEO of Höegh FLNG.