With the increase in domestic natural gas production, the US is transitioning to become a net exporter of natural gas in 2017. Eagle Maxville will contribute to those 2017 exports from its Maxville facility with authorisation granted today. The DOe has now authorised a total of 21.35 billion ft3/d of natural gas exports to anywhere in the world not prohibited by US law or policy from existing and planned facilities in Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, and Maryland.
Increased natural gas production in the US is helping to improve energy security, while stimulating economic development and job creation around the country. This increase in domestic natural gas production is expected to continue, with the US Energy Information Administration’s ‘Short Term Energy Outlook’ projecting an average dry natural gas production rate of 74.1 billion ft3/d in 2017, the second highest on record.
The DOE conducted a review of the Eagle Maxville application, including seeking public comments. No comments were received in response to the public notice of the application, allowing the DOE to issue its authorisation three months after receiving the application. This quick response demonstrates Secretary Perry’s commitment to expedited processing of LNG export application when ready for final action. Amongst other factors, the DOE met its National Environmental Policy Act requirements in issuing a categorical exclusion and considered the economic and energy security of the application, including macroeconomic studies that showed positive benefits to the US economy in scenarios with LNG exports up to 28 billion ft3/d.
