Port Development: Brownville, Corpus Christi

Texas LNG to Build Export Facility in Brownsville

Texas LNG recently contracted with two engineering firms for the design and construction of a proposed LNG export facility at the Port of Brownsville.

The companies will provide Texas LNG with pre-final investment decision (pre-FID) detailed engineering and post-final investment decision (post-FID) engineering, procurement and construction services for a facility capable of exporting 4 million tons of LNG annually.

The Pre-FID detailed engineering, expected to begin this year, will include further design and schedule optimization, identification of long lead items and early works commitments, early preparation of purchase orders, and all due diligence in relation to technical commercial and contractual matters that will enable the contractors to execute a lump sum turnkey engineering, procurement and construction contract for the Texas LNG plant.

Texas LNG recently executed detailed non-binding term sheets with four independent LNG buyers in Southeast Asia and China for 3.1 million tons per year.

Final investment decision for the project is expected in 2018.

The Port of Brownsville is the site of two other LNG proposed projects. All three projects are under review by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Corpus Christi Concludes La Quinta Property No Longer a Viable Option for Container Terminal Operations


Port Corpus Christi has determined that a planned container facility at the La Quinta Trade Gateway is no longer a viable option due to its proximity to a residential community. Container terminal operations typically involve heavy usage of trucks, high profile cranes, and on-dock rail operations. Port officials concluded that noise and light from such operations would likely have a potentially negative impact on the adjoining residential areas. As such, port officials are removing the container terminal concept from the La Quinta Trade Gateway master plan.

The La Quinta Trade Gateway occupies approximately 1,300 acres located on the La Quinta Ship Channel.  Development of the facility was envisioned to include a state-of-the-art multipurpose dock and container facility in addition to providing industrial space for such tenants as voestalpine Texas, and the Gulf Cotton Compress.

"The Port of Corpus Christi is committed to responsible growth," said Port Commission Chairman Charles W. Zahn, Jr., Port of Corpus Christi Commission Chairman.  "Potential effects from increased traffic and industrial noise from a container operation at La Quinta Trade Gateway is not compatible with our values in supporting the quality of life in the adjoining communities. We are committed to the La Quinta Trade Gateway development, and continue to explore other low impact uses for the facility."

La Quinta Trade Gateway comprises the 47-foot (MLLW) deep La Quinta Ship Channel with direct access to approximately 1,300 acres of Port owned property. La Quinta Ship Channel provides access for mini cape size dry bulk vessels to serve voestalpine’s dry bulk cargo dock that was completed in 2016 and LNG tankers to serve the Corpus Christi Liquefaction project that is currently under construction and expected to be in commercial operation by 2019.