Here’s what we know about a second LNG export terminal at the Port of Brownsville

About a decade ago, three companies proposed to export liquified natural gas from the Port of Brownsville to overseas customers: NextDecade LNG, Anova LNG and Texas LNG.

Since then, one company has invested billions of dollars to construct export terminals, a second company has dropped out of the race and a third is nearing an investment decision. 

Liquefied natural gas is a compressed supercooled product often exported overseas as an alternative energy source to nations without domestic energy extraction industries, such as many European and Asian countries. 

The first company, Houston-based NextDecade Corp., began constructing the first phase of its Rio Grande LNG export terminal at the Port of Brownsville in October 2023. The company has reached a final investment decision for five out of 10 potential liquefaction trains on a sprawling 1000-acre site at the port – which would produce 60 million tonnes per annum. NextDecade Corp. hired Betchel Energy as its construction company.