Galveston LNG Bunker Port, LLC (GLBP) has filed applications with the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to build a small-scale natural gas (LNG) liquefaction facility on Shoal Point in Texas City, Texas.
This project, located in the heart of the Galveston Bay/Greater Houston port complex, will be the region’s first dedicated LNG bunker terminal, supplying clean LNG as marine fuel. The regulatory applications also include submissions to the Texas Railroad Commission (TRRC) for the Texas Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certification and the United States Coast Guard (USCG) for Waterway Suitability Assessment.
The proposed GLBP facility will consist of two natural gas liquefaction trains capable of producing approximately 600,000 gallons per day of LNG, two 3-million-gallon full containment LNG storage tanks, and various other facilities such as feed gas pre-treatment, storage for natural gas liquids and refrigerants, and a bunker vessel loading berth.
Shaun Davison, Chief Development Officer of Pilot LNG, expressed confidence in meeting the rigorous requirements of state and local permitting authorities, targeting project completion by the end of 2026. The project development agreement between Pilot LNG and Seapath Group was signed in September 2023, outlining the development, technical design, permitting, and marketing of the facility.
Meanwhile, Joshua Lubarsky, President of Seapath Group, emphasized the importance of this facility in enhancing the resilience of the U.S. maritime infrastructure and its immediate positive environmental and economic impacts on Texas City, Galveston Bay, and the U.S. Gulf Coast.
However, the project’s development is subject to several risks and uncertainties, and the final investment decision is contingent on securing commercial agreements, obtaining all necessary permits and approvals, and securing financing commitments.
