US LNG developer NextDecade expects to introduce gas into its Rio Grande LNG terminal in Texas in the second half of this year, according to Matt Schatzman, NextDecade chairman and CEO.
In July 2023, NextDecade took the final investment decision on the first three Rio Grande LNG trains.
In September and October last year, NextDecade made the final investment decisions on the fourth and fifth trains at its Rio Grande LNG facility.
This brings the total expected LNG production capacity under construction at Rio Grande LNG to approximately 30 mtpa.
“Phase 1 continues to track ahead of the guaranteed substantial completion dates for each train, early electrical commissioning of Train 1 continues, and we expect first gas into the facility in the second half of this year and first LNG production in the first half of 2027,” Schatzman said in a business update on Friday.
“We are also focused on the continued development of Trains 6 through 8, and we continue to expect to make a full filing with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for Train 6 before the end of the second quarter and also progress the development of Trains 7 and 8 this year,” he said.
In parallel, NextDecade is working with Bechtel on front-end engineering and design for Train 6 and “having commercial discussions with potential buyers for long-term sales of LNG from Train 6,” Schatzman said.
Construction update
NextDecade said the overall project completion percentage for Trains 1 and 2 and the common facilities at the Rio Grande LNG facility was 67.8 percent complete as of the end of March.
The overall project completion percentage for Train 3 at the Rio Grande LNG facility was 44.2 percent.
Moreover, the overall project completion percentage for Train 4 at the Rio Grande LNG facility was 10.6 percent, while the overall project completion percentage for Train 5 at the Rio Grande LNG facility was 6.8 percent.
Early LNG cargoes
In early 2026, NextDecade began marketing of early cargoes that it expects to produce in 2027 and 2028, prior to the commencement of its long-term LNG sale and purchase agreements.
In February 2026, the company entered into LNG sales agreements for the sale of over 175 TBtu of LNG on a free-on-board basis, with fixed liquefaction fees that are expected to achieve a cargo margin, calculated as the FOB LNG sales price less its expected costs of natural gas feedstock and fuel, of over $3.00 per MMBtu.
NextDecade said this volume represents 33 percent of its expected portfolio volumes from 2027 through early 2029. (May 4, 2026, Source: https://lngprime.com/americas/nextdecade-expects-rio-grande-lng-terminal-to-get-first-gas-this-year/185300/)
UNITED STATES - LNG - SUPPLIES - IMPORTS - EXPORTS