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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.
Rio Grande LNG recently received approval from the US FERC to proceed with the construction of Train 4 and 5.
Boosting workforce
On April 3, Rio Grande entities submitted a variance request to FERC to increase the peak workforce to 7,500 personnel (6,500 day shift, 1,000 night shift), up from the currently authorized 5,225 personnel.
In addition, Rio Grande LNG is seeking from FERC to allow for construction to occur 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with a limited set of construction activities occurring during nights and weekends, including but not limited to erecting structural steel, equipment installation, piping activities, welding, civil activities including concrete placement, trenching/excavation inside of the perimeter levee, and coating/fireproofing.
According to Rio Grande LNG, the majority of construction will continue to be conducted during daytime hours (from 7:00 am – 7:00 pm), while no pile driving activities will take place at night (pile driving to occur between 7:00 am – 7:00 pm).
The company noted that the Rio Grande entities are constructing all five trains simultaneously, requiring a greater overall workforce presence and multiple craft trades on site at the same time.
“As a result, the site will become physically constrained in the coming months unless the requested 24/7 work week is implemented and an increased number of peak workforce is authorized,” it said.
“As quickly and safely as possible”
Rio Grande LNG said that “it is important to point out that these measures will ensure that the Rio Grande entities are able to produce LNG as quickly and safely as possible.”
“We are currently in an unprecedented situation where significant LNG supply has been taken off the market due to hostilities in the Middle East. At this time, the Rio Grande entities and other United States LNG producers are working to supply the market with incremental LNG, as quickly and safely as possible to ensure the energy security of the United States and especially our allies,” the company said.
Matt Schatzman, NextDecade chairman and CEO, recently said that the company expects to start LNG production at the first train of its Rio Grande LNG terminal in the first half of 2027.
“With 30 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of expected LNG production capacity under construction and the goal of doubling our capacity to 60 mtpa on site, growth at attractive returns continues to be a primary focus for the company,” Schatzman.
He noted that NextDecade initiated the pre-filing process with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for Train 6 in November 2025.
The company expects to file a full application for Train 6 by mid-year, and “we expect to advance the development of Trains 7 and 8 throughout the year,” Schatzman said.
He said that NextDecade has been “in the market talking to potential customers for train six, and we’re seeing continued strong demand for incremental LNG supply in the 2030s and beyond.”