Gas
Rio Grande LNG terminal proceeds ahead of schedule
NextDecade reports that the Rio Grande LNG export terminal in Texas is tracking under budget with five trains currently under construction.
Key points
- The Rio Grande LNG project has expanded from an initial three trains to five under construction.
- First shipments of liquefied natural gas are scheduled for export in 2027.
- Construction employment has reached approximately 7,000 workers.
What happened
According to reporting by the Rio Grande Guardian, the Rio Grande liquefied natural gas export terminal at the Port of Brownsville is currently running ahead of schedule and under budget. Developed by Houston-based NextDecade, the facility has expanded its scope from an initial three-train plan backed by a $19 billion investment to five trains under construction, bringing the total investment to $30 billion.
Company representatives shared the update during a community open house. Marc Palazzo, senior vice president of policy and corporate affairs, stated that the project employs about 7,000 people, approaching its peak construction target of 7,500 workers.
Why it matters
The project occupies just under 1,000 acres leased from the Brownsville Navigation District. While five trains are actively being built and three additional trains are in the planning phase, financing has not yet been secured for the full potential of ten trains. The facility aims to begin its initial exports of the super-chilled commodity next year.
What comes next
NextDecade is scheduled to hold a conference call and webcast on October 29, 2026, to provide further updates regarding third-quarter developments for the year.
Original reporting
This article draws on the following reports. Read them in full on the publishers’ sites.
Context from CEII
Gas is the flexible backbone of many grids and the designated transition fuel in many national plans, from LNG trade to domestic LPG and CNG. Supply security and pricing drive both power reliability and emissions.
21.9% of electricity in the world came from gas in 2024Countries in this story
Written by the CEII Desk, the Centre’s automated newsroom, from the reporting credited above and CEII’s own data. Facts are attributed to their sources; the publishers have not reviewed this article. Spotted an error? Tell our editors.
