Sempra Starts Permitting 26-Mtpa Port Arthur LNG North Expansion That Could Double Gulf Coast Export Hub
Sempra Infrastructure has opened the federal permitting process for Port Arthur LNG North, a proposed four-train expansion in Southeast Texas that would add approximately 26 million tonnes per annum of nameplate LNG capacity, with maximum output approaching 27 Mtpa under optimal operating conditions. The project would add three LNG storage tanks, two new marine berths and associated facilities on land already controlled by Port Arthur LNG. If it moves through permitting, commercial agreements, financing and a final investment decision, the regulatory filing indicates exports could begin in the second half of 2034. That would put North alongside the 26 Mtpa already being developed through Port Arthur Phases 1 and 2, creating a potential 52 Mtpa nameplate LNG complex on the Sabine-Neches Waterway.
Operator Impact Snapshot
Port Arthur LNG North would essentially add another full Port Arthur-sized export project beside the first two phases already moving through construction.
Four additional trains could produce nearly as much LNG as Phases 1 and 2 combined.
Three additional LNG storage tanks would support the expanded marine loading system.
Phase 1, Phase 2 and North together would create eight liquefaction trains at the site.
The project has entered environmental and stakeholder review. Construction authorization has not been granted.
North construction is planned to begin as Phase 2 transitions into commercial operation.
Port Arthur Expansion Stack
North is not a stand-alone greenfield terminal. It would sit on top of two large construction programs already creating shared infrastructure, feedgas links and a future LNG shipping hub.
| Project | Status | Liquefaction | Marine & Storage | Feedgas Infrastructure | Commercial / Capital Position | Maritime Signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Port Arthur LNG Phase 1 | UNDER CONSTRUCTION 2027 / 2028 Train 1 and Train 2 commercial-operation targets. | ~13 Mtpa Two natural-gas liquefaction trains. | Two LNG storage tanks plus LNG vessel berthing and loading facilities. | Port Arthur Pipeline Louisiana Connector entered service in June 2026 with 2.0 Bcf/d of capacity. | Approximately $13 billion project capital. Long-term LNG agreements cover ConocoPhillips, RWE, INEOS, ORLEN and ENGIE. | Creates the initial steady flow of large LNG carriers into the Port Arthur export system. |
| Port Arthur LNG Phase 2 | FID / CONSTRUCTION 2030 / 2031 Train 3 and Train 4 commercial-operation targets. | ~13 Mtpa Two additional liquefaction trains. | One additional LNG storage tank and an additional marine berth. | Contracted capacity on the 240-mile Mustang Express Pipeline, designed for up to 2.5 Bcf/d. | Approximately $12 billion incremental capex plus about $2 billion for shared common facilities. Long-term offtake includes ConocoPhillips, JERA, EQT and Sempra Infrastructure. | Federal environmental work previously modeled Phase 1 and Phase 2 together at up to roughly 360 LNG vessel calls annually. |
| Port Arthur LNG North | FERC PRE-FILING H2 2034+ Earliest export timing currently identified in the regulatory filing. | ~26 Mtpa Four trains. Maximum operating output could approach 27 Mtpa. | Three new LNG storage tanks plus two new LNG carrier berths. | Dedicated North feedgas infrastructure has not yet been publicly detailed. 26 Mtpa represents roughly 3.4 Bcf/d of LNG-equivalent gas before process fuel and losses. | Sempra calls North a multibillion-dollar project. Commercial agreements, permits, financing and FID remain outstanding. | At roughly the same output as Phases 1 and 2 combined, North could create another large block of recurring LNG carrier demand. |
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