An appeals court in the United States has canceled permits for two LNG projects on the Gulf coast due to environmental reasons. Europe expects to abandon Russian gas in 2027, when the United States and Qatar should launch new LNG capacities. However, the process may not be as fast.
The Court of Appeals of the District of Columbia overturned the permits of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for the Rio Grande LNG and Texas LNG LNG projects. The judges stated that the regulator needs to prepare a more complete analysis of the impact of projects on the environment.
Revocation of permits and the need to start from scratch will be a significant blow to two projects and LNG exports from the United States. The capacity of Rio Grande LNG and Texas LNG is estimated at 32.4 million tons (about 45 billion cubic meters) per year. This is more than 15% of the new capacities that they want to launch in the US within a decade and have received FERC permits.
"This is the second time that the District Court of the District of Columbia has ordered FERC to redo part of its analysis of two gas export terminals in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, but this is the first ruling relating to these projects that directs the commission to start from scratch," writes E&E News.
The decision to give the green light to two LNG projects was initially not liked by environmental groups and local residents, writes Offshore Energy. They decided to intervene in the proceedings and demanded a re-examination of the permit orders, arguing that the US regulatory agency's analysis of emissions and the impact of projects on climate change and environmental justice was inadequate.
In addition, climate activists accused FERC of failing to substantiate its findings on public interest and convenience in accordance with the Natural gas Act.
"Since the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission decided to reject their requests for a retrial, these climate activists have appealed to the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia," Offshore Energy continues.
NextDecade, the owner of Rio Grande LNG, stated that it disagrees with the court's conclusions and work on the first three liquefaction lines continues.
"The company planned to gradually launch three lines with a total capacity of 17.6 million tons per year (24 billion cubic meters) in the first stage from 2027 to 2029," Montel writes.
The project with a total capacity of 28.4 million tons (more than 39 billion cubic meters) attracted the attention of large gas buyers. For example, long-term contracts were signed by French TotalEnergies and Engie, Portuguese Galp and international trader Gunvor.
Montel added that the situation with the launch of new LNG projects in the United States is complicated by the delay with Golden Pass LNG with a capacity of 18 million tons per year (24.6 billion cubic meters). American ExxonMobil postponed the start of its commissioning for six months — until the end of 2025.
Delays in the launch of new projects make even more uncertain the plans of the European Union to abandon Russian gas in 2027.
As EADaily reported, Russian gas supplies to Europe increased by 22% to 18.2 billion cubic meters in the first seven months of the year. In part, Gazprom had to be a balancing company again and cover the imbalance due to the fact that some of the liquefied gas, mainly from the United States, went to the more attractive Asian market at prices. By betting on LNG, European consumers have become dependent on global flows. This explains why European officials are discussing the extension of transit through Ukraine, in which the Azerbaijani state-owned company Socar is considered a counterparty instead of Gazprom.
Due to sanctions and counter-sanctions, Gazprom has reduced supplies to Europe by about five times. The Russian company is working on redirecting flows. Negotiations are underway on the second gas pipeline to China — the Power of Siberia —2. It is planned to increase deliveries to Central Asia. Iran announced a megaproject of Russian gas supplies across the country — for domestic consumption and export to neighboring countries.