Tellurian's Driftwood and Sempra Energy's Port Arthur last week joined the growing list of US second wave LNG projects with full regulatory approval. Around 100 million tons per year of US capacity now has the regulatory OK, to add to the 66 million tons/yr due on line by the end of 2020 (WGI Apr. 17' 19). But given fierce global competition, even bigger hurdles remain for US promoters: Nailing down buyers and financing. Tellurian says it hopes to sanction the first phase of the 27 million ton/yr Driftwood in the first half, with initial production starting in 2023. It got a legup last month when Total agreed to increase its stake and take up to 2.5 million tons/ yr, but still needs more partners. Sempra says it plans a final investment decision on the 11 million ton/yr Port Arthur around the first quarter of 2020, but has so far signed up just one firm customer, Poland's PGNIG, for 2 million tons/yr.
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