Sempra LNG & Midstream, a unit of Sempra Energy, has selected a TechnipFMC-Kiewit partnership as the engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning (EPC) contractor for the Energía Costa Azul (ECA) liquefaction project in Baja California, Mexico.

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Image: Cameron LNG, a joint-venture liquefied natural gas facility under construction in Louisiana, is expected to commence operations in 2018. Photo courtesy of Sempra Energy.

The partners, leveraging their experience on LNG projects, will undertake the engineering, planning and related activities required to prepare, negotiate and finalize EPC contract for the project.

Sempra Energy president and operating officer Joseph Householder said: “The ECA liquefaction project is one of three North American LNG export projects we are developing — two on the Gulf Coast and one in the Pacific Basin — to help meet global demand for LNG.

“This project is an exciting part of our LNG growth strategy and geographically positioned to serve Asian natural gas markets.”

Planned to be built adjacent to the existing ECA regasification facility, the new liquefaction project will provide customers with direct access to with to west coast LNG supplies.

The ECA’s existing facilities comprise one marine berth and breakwater, two LNG tanks of 160,000m³ each, LNG vaporizers, nitrogen injection systems and pipeline inter-connections.

The proposed liquefaction project is intended to add natural gas receipt, treatment and liquefaction capabilities and loading of LNG cargoes.

Being developed by Sempra Energy, the ECA liquefaction project development is subject to obtaining customer commitments; completing the commercial agreements; securing necessary permits and approvals; obtaining financing and incentives; among others.

Sempra LNG & Midstream president Octavio Simoes said: “Having two highly qualified construction companies, TechnipFMC and Kiewit, with international liquefaction experience will contribute to the project’s success.

“ECA liquefaction will help us achieve our LNG development objectives of having a world-class LNG export terminal on the west coast of North America.”

In addition to the ECA liquefaction project, Sempra LNG & Midstream is developing a liquefaction facility at Cameron LNG in Hackberry, Louisiana, US.

The project, which is currently under construction, will feature three trains have will liquefaction capacity of 14 million tons per annum (mtpa).