Special to the American Press

Port of Lake Charles-owned property will be the site of the largest single foreign direct investment in Louisiana’s history.

Australia’s Woodside Energy has made a final investment decision to approve Louisiana LNG — a $17.5 billion project to export liquefied natural gas.

Louisiana LNG will be a three-train, 16.5 million tonne per annum (Mtpa) development.

The project is expected to support approximately 15,000 national jobs during construction, then support an estimated 4,000 jobs nationally once in operation.

LNG exports are estimated to begin in 2029.

The development also has expansion capacity for two additional LNG trains — and is fully permitted for a total capacity of 27.6 Mtpa.

“We welcome this record-setting investment,” said Port Executive Director Richert L. Self. “Multiple enterprises on Port property already make us the No. 1 LNG export area in the world, and Louisiana LNG will position us even more powerfully in the 2030s and beyond.”

Port Board President Kevin Guidry said Louisiana LNG represents “just the latest way the Port of Lake Charles serves and supplies the world — with energy, major cargo, and other global services. We’re committed to world-class operations, and Louisiana LNG’s commitment shows our capability and capacity for growth.”

The Port of Lake Charles is the 10th-busiest deepwater port in America, based on U.S. Commerce Department cargo tonnage statistics.

Woodside CEO Meg O’Neill said green-lighting Louisiana LNG on Port property is “a game-changer” that “will position Woodside to even better serve global customers and meet growing energy demand.”

Perth, Australia-based Woodside Energy said the project:

• Benefits from access to abundant, low-cost gas resources in the United States.
• Boasts an asset lifespan of more than 40 years.
• Has access to well-established interstate and intrastate gas supply networks.

Part of the work is already under way. Pilings for Train 1 and the LNG tanks have been completed and the foundation work is under way for the LNG tanks.