Freeport LNG wants to tear down outdated import facilities in Texas

Freeport LNG asked U.S. regulators to allow it to demolish Texas facilities that were used to import Liquefied Natural Gas, according to regulatory filings.

The U.S. used to be a major LNG importer. However, the Shale Revolution transformed the gas market in the U.S. and made it the largest LNG exporter in the world. Freeport hasn't imported LNG since 2011.

Freeport LNG told the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission that "the terminal was operated exclusively to liquefy natural?gas for export and have not regasified import LNG for more than a decade. We propose decommissioning, disconnecting, and/or demolishing certain outdated facilities."

Freeport, the 'third largest LNG exporter of the U.S.', has said that it hopes to have FERC approve the project before the end of the year. It also added that removing unused infrastructure would improve operational safety, and reduce the amount time spent by employees maintaining and inspecting unused assets.

The company stated that the new system would allow employees to focus instead on the safe operation and maintenance of the facilities already in use.

Freeport informed?regulators that it planned to 'physically disconnect its regasification assets from its liquefaction asset, and then to demolish them. Curtis Williams, Houston Reporting: Editing by Nathan Crooks, Bill Berkrot

(source: Reuters)