Secretary Wright, at CERAWeek, grants LNG export extension to Delfin LNG project
Delfin LNG LLC has been granted additional time to begin LNG exports from its proposed project offshore Louisiana.
US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright approved the LNG export permit extension Mar. 3, 2025, in his opening remarks at CERAWeek by S&P Global in Houston on Mar. 10.
Secretary Wright said he is proud to be working with President Trump “to advance a strategy of energy addition – embracing all forms of energy that are affordable, reliable, and secure.”
Continuing, Secretary Wright said, “the positive energy and renewed enthusiasm for US leadership in energy exports from our allies and trading partners here at CERAWeek is palpable, and I am thrilled to sign this order to help another US LNG project advance.”
The order extends the commencement date for Delfin’s export authorization for exports of up to 1.8 bcfd of natural gas as LNG to non-free trade agreement countries to June 1, 2029.
Delfin LNG is a brownfield Deepwater Port project, which is designed to support up to four FLNG vessels producing up to 13.3 million tonnes/year of LNG. The company, majority-owned by Fairwood Peninsula, Talisman Global Alternative Master LP, and Talisman Global Capital Master LP, has secured commercial agreements for LNG sales and liquefaction services and is seeking to reach a final investment decision later this year.
The move comes on the heels of other issuances the Trump administration has made following the January 2024 pause of LNG export authorizations by the Biden administration. At the time, the Biden administration said the pause was aimed giving the Department of Energy (DOE) time to expand the review process to more strongly consider the climate as well as the economic impacts of boosting exports (OGJ Online, Jan. 26, 2024).
"I'm honored to play a role in reversing what I believe has been very poor direction in energy policy. The previous administration's policy was focused myopically on climate change with people as simply collateral damage," Secretary Wright said.
Trump-era DOE approvals
The issuance to Delfin marks the fourth LNG-related approval from the USD DOE under the Trump administration.
Following an export approval to Commonwealth LNG on Feb. 14, an order on rehearing removing barriers for the use of LNG as bunkering fuel was released Feb. 28, and an approval providing Golden Pass LNG more time to begin exports was issued Mar. 5.
Mikaila Adams | Managing Editor - News
Mikaila Adams has 20 years of experience as an editor, most of which has been centered on the oil and gas industry. She enjoyed 12 years focused on the business/finance side of the industry as an editor for Oil & Gas Journal's sister publication, Oil & Gas Financial Journal (OGFJ). After OGFJ ceased publication in 2017, she joined Oil & Gas Journal and was named Managing Editor - News in 2019. She holds a degree from Texas Tech University.
