Pipeline MOU for US LNG project

NextDecade Corporation and Enbridge Inc. announced the MoU to jointly pursue the development of the Rio Bravo Pipeline (Rio Bravo) and other natural gas pipelines in South Texas to transport natural gas to NextDecade’s planned Rio Grande LNG export terminal located at the Port of Brownsville in Texas. Rio Bravo is designed to transport 4.5bn cubic feet per day of natural gas from the Agua Dulce area to Rio Grande LNG.

Matt Schatzman, NextDecade’s chairman and CEO, said: “Enbridge is one of North America’s leading energy infrastructure companies and we look forward to exploring a strong partnership in South Texas. With its Texas Eastern Pipeline and recently completed Valley Crossing Pipeline, Enbridge has extensive permitting, construction, and operating experience in the State of Texas, especially in South Texas.”

Bill Yardley, Enbridge’s president of gas transmission and midstream, said, “We are excited to be working with NextDecade for pipeline solutions to the Rio Grande LNG facility. Our existing infrastructure fits very well with the Brownsville location. This is a continuation of our strategy to bring our major projects execution and permitting capability to the expanding LNG export efforts in North America.”

The companies anticipate finalising plans regarding the MoU in the fourth quarter of 2019.

In May, NextDecade signed two contracts with Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals for the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) of its LNG terminal.