NextDecade Corp. secured a 20-year, 1.2 million metric tons per annum offtake agreement with Aramco for the fourth liquefaction train of its Rio Grande LNG project in Brownsville, Texas. NextDecade is seeking additional commitments for a final investment decision on the fourth and fifth trains, following the approval of the first three in phase 1.
CEO Matt Schatzman praised the deal as evidence of the project’s strong appeal to LNG customers.Under its agreement with Aramco, a subsidiary will receive LNG at a price tied to the Henry Hub benchmark. NextDecade also contracted Baker Hughes to supply gas turbine and refrigerant compressor technology for trains 4-8. Phase 1, under construction by Bechtel, will have a capacity of 18 MMtpa.
NextDecade reports strong progress on commercializing trains 4 and 5.NextDecade plans to make final investment decisions for trains 4 and 5, pending approvals, contracts, and financing. It is also starting the permitting process for trains 6-8. Trains 1-5 have the necessary US approvals, with partners holding options to invest in trains 4 and 5, while trains 6-8 are fully owned by NextDecade.NextDecade plans to pre-file for Train 6 with FERC this year, with a full application expected by 2026.
Trains 7 and 8 will be developed outside the existing levee, and options for two more trains beyond Train 8 are being explored. The company withdrew its carbon capture permit in August 2024. At full capacity, Rio Grande LNG will serve nearly 34 million households.Rio Grande LNG secured a permit to export to non-FTA countries through 2050, starting in February 2027, and also holds a 30-year export authorization to FTA countries. However, on August 6, 2024, the D.C. Circuit Court vacated the FERC permit due to the lack of a supplemental Environmental Impact Statement.
On March 18, 2025, the court revised its decision, remanding the FERC’s order for the first five liquefaction trains without vacating it.”We are pleased with the revised Court ruling, which ensures construction at the Rio Grande LNG Facility will proceed as planned,” said Schatzman. “We look forward to continuing our work with FERC through the reauthorization process,” the CEO added.
