Baker Hughes wins MRC supply contract for Sempra’s Port Arthur LNG

Energy technology company Baker Hughes has been awarded an order by engineering company Bechtel to supply two Main Refrigerant Compressors (MRCs) for Sempra Infrastructure’s Port Arthur LNG Phase 1 project in Jefferson County, Texas, US.

In total, Baker Hughes is expected to supply four Frame 7 turbines paired with eight centrifugal compressors across two LNG trains, for a nameplate capacity of approximately 13 MTPA, as well as two electric motor-driven compressors for the plant’s boosting services.

Packaging of the turbine/compressor train as well as manufacturing of the compressors and testing of the trains will take place at Baker Hughes’ facilities in Italy.

The expected commercial operation dates for Port Arthur LNG Phase 1 Train 1 and Train 2 are 2027 and 2028, respectively.

According to Baker Hughes, its gas technology solution chosen for Port Arthur LNG Phase 1 provides Sempra Infrastructure with the highest production levels for the plant’s design, as well as operational flexibility, high availability, and lower emission footprint.

Baker Hughes Chairman and CEO Lorenzo Simonelli commented: “We are delighted to be working with Bechtel and Sempra Infrastructure to supply critical equipment for this innovative LNG project.“

“Baker Hughes has been committed to LNG for over 30 years, and today’s announcement builds on our track record of delivering high-availability and reliable LNG technology, with a low total cost of operations, further enabling increased exports of LNG from the US Gulf Coast to meet global energy needs.”

Earlier in March, Sempra Infrastructure reached a positive Final Investment Decision (FID) for the development, construction and operation of the Port Arthur LNG Phase 1 project.

Sempra revealed reaching the FID and closing its joint venture with an affiliate of ConocoPhillips as well as an agreement to sell an indirect, non-controlling interest in the project to an infrastructure fund managed by KKR.

Additionally, it announced the closing of the project’s $6.8 billion non-recourse debt financing and the issuance of the final notice to proceed under the project’s Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) agreement with Bechtel.

To note, the long-term contractable capacity for the phase 1 project is fully subscribed under binding long-term agreements with ConocoPhillips, RWE Supply and Trading, PKN ORLEN, INEOS, and ENGIE.

Sempra Infrastructure is also actively developing the Port Arthur LNG Phase 2 project, which is expected to have a similar offtake capacity to Phase 1.