en.Wedoany.com Reported - LNG export project developer Argent LNG has formally submitted a Waterway Suitability Assessment (WSA) to the United States Coast Guard (USCG), advancing the federal permitting process for its proposed 25 MMtpy LNG export terminal at Port Fourchon, Louisiana. This marks the company's engagement with its third major federal regulatory agency, following the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

Submitted pursuant to federal regulations under 33 CFR Part 127, the WSA requests that the USCG conduct a formal evaluation of the approach channels at Belle Pass, Bayou Lafourche, and the Gulf of America to confirm whether these waterways are suitable for LNG carriers with capacities ranging from 125,000 to 260,000 cubic meters. The assessment covers navigational safety, vessel traffic management, waterway characteristics, and operational requirements for LNG carriers serving the Port Fourchon terminal.

Previously, Argent LNG submitted 11 resource reports to FERC as part of the ongoing environmental pre-filing process, covering overall project description, water use and quality, fish and wildlife, cultural resources, socioeconomics, geological resources, soils, land use, air and noise quality, alternatives, and visual resources. FERC's review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is progressing toward a Draft Environmental Impact Statement, which represents the next critical regulatory milestone on the path to a FERC certificate of public convenience and necessity. On July 23, 2026, the U.S. Department of Energy issued Order No. DOE/HGEO 5447, granting Argent LNG long-term authorization to export domestically produced LNG to Free Trade Agreement (FTA) countries at a volume of 129.375 billion cubic feet per year (equivalent to 25 MTPA) for a 20-year term; the non-FTA authorization application is under review in Docket No. 26-28-LNG pursuant to Section 3(a) of the Natural Gas Act. With this, the engagement process with all three major federal regulatory agencies is now complete.

Jonathan Bass, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Argent LNG, stated that submitting the WSA to the USCG reflects the company's commitment to engaging with every federal agency with the same rigor and discipline. With FERC, DOE, and USCG actively involved, the project is demonstrating multi-agency regulatory execution; each agency engagement is a risk-reduction event, and each submission brings the project closer to a complete federal permitting framework, supporting the final investment decision.

Port Fourchon's strategic conditions make it well-suited for large-scale LNG export operations and support a favorable waterway suitability assessment outcome. The port features a federally authorized deep-draft channel, authorized under the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) to be deepened to 50 feet and widened to 475 feet, specifically designed to accommodate large LNG carriers. The terminal's proximity to Belle Pass and Bayou Lafourche provides direct access to Gulf of America shipping routes, avoiding the congested inland waterway systems faced by other Gulf Coast LNG export facilities. Port Fourchon serves as the primary support hub for U.S. Gulf of America offshore energy operations, servicing approximately 95% of deepwater production in the Gulf, and its existing offshore safety and vessel traffic management infrastructure supports the USCG's assessment of waterway suitability for LNG carrier operations.

In parallel with advancing regulatory engagement, Argent LNG is also progressing commercial partnerships. The company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Naftogaz of Ukraine, establishing a framework for long-term U.S. LNG procurement, transportation, and distribution cooperation for Ukraine and the Central, Eastern, and Southern European markets; signed an MOU with BOTAŞ to establish a "vertical corridor" framework for supplying U.S. LNG to Southeastern Europe and the Balkans via Türkiye; reached a strategic cooperation agreement with EPİAŞ, committing 5 MMtpy for distribution to Southeastern and Central European markets; and signed a Heads of Agreement with the Government of Bangladesh for long-term U.S. LNG supply of up to 5 MMtpy annually. Additionally, Argent LNG has awarded an integrated marine, environmental, and site engineering services contract to GIS Engineering, LLC of Galliano, Louisiana, reflecting its "Louisiana First" procurement strategy.

Argent LNG is currently advancing FERC permitting, DOE non-FTA authorization, commercial offtake development, engineering, and financing preparations in parallel, with plans to reach a final investment decision and commence construction in December 2027, with first LNG expected in the first quarter of 2030.