US rejigs LNG export review

摘要

The US Department of Energy is requiring LNG export projects to obtain environmental approvals before it reviews applications to supply coun-tries that do not have free-trade agree-ments with the US.The new rule, which takes effect on 15 August,is designed to weed out projects that may not be financially viable.Reviews with the Federal Energy Regulatory Com-mission can cost up to$100mn for complex projects.The change will allow Qatari state-owned QP and Exx-onMobil’s$10bn,15.6mn t/yr Golden Pass LNG project in Texas to move up in the queue(WPA,11 July,p11).