NextDecade could reach Rio Grande LNG FID for 9 mtpa

NextDecade Corporation, a company focused on LNG exports, said it could reach a final investment decision on its Rio Grande LNG project “for as few as two trains” with a 9 mtpa production capacity. 

NextDecade intends to develop the full 6-train plant at Rio Grande LNG, but does not need to develop the full-scale facility, the company said in its statement.

At full build-out, the facility in the Port of Brownsville would have the capacity to produce 27 million tons of liquefied natural gas per year.

The project is currently going through the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) process, with NextDecade expecting to receive a notice of schedule in the near future. A final authorization is expected in the second half of 2018.

New appointments made

NextDecade said that it has made new additions to its team as the company moves ahead towards the final investment decision.

Chris Migura is set to join the company on December 1, and take up the position of deputy general counsel. Migura brings over 15 years of legal experience including a background in negotiating LNG supply and purchase agreements.

Raquel Couri has been named as vice president of human resources and administration and will join the company on January 4, 2018. She joins NextDecade with more than 15 years of experience having previously worked with BG Group, now part of Shell, for more than 13 years.

During recent months the company named Eric Garcia as chief accounting officer. Garcia previously occupied the position at KPMG as an audit managing director where he spent 15 years serving companies in the LNG, oil and gas, and power and utilities industries.

NextDecade also named Gabriel Gutierrez as associate general counsel, corporate and compliance and is responsible for assisting the company with its SEC reporting and disclosure requirements and advising on compliance with federal securities laws, stock exchange rules, and corporate governance.

The company has also unveiled plans to open representative offices in certain East Asian and Southeast Asian markets in the near future.