Australia’s Woodside Energy recently finalized its decision to spend $17.5 billion in the construction of a new liquified natural gas (LNG) production and export facility in Louisiana in a record-setting foreign investment for the state.
Louisiana LNG, located in the Port of Lake Charles, is expected to produce up to 16.5 million metric tons (Mtpa) of LNG per year, starting in 2029, officials said.
“We welcome this record-setting investment,” Richert L. Self, port executive director, said in a news release. “Multiple enterprises on port property already make us the No. 1 LNG export area in the world, and Louisiana LNG will position us even more powerfully in the 2030s and beyond.”
The three-train project is expected to support approximately 15,000 national jobs during construction, and an estimated 4,000 jobs nationally once in operation. The development also has expansion capacity for two additional LNG trains and is fully permitted for a total capacity of 27.6 Mtpa.
At full capacity, the foundation project is expected to generate approximately $2 billion of annual net operating cash in the 2030s, according to Woodside.
“Louisiana LNG is a game-changer for Woodside, set to position our company as a global LNG powerhouse and enable us to deliver enduring shareholder returns,” Woodside CEO Meg O’Neill said. “This world-class project is a compelling and de-risked investment. It leverages Woodside’s proven strengths in project execution, operational excellence, marketing, and customer relationships to offer significant cash generation and drive long-term shareholder value.”
This development takes its place in both state and national history as being the first greenfield LNG project to reach final investment decision under President Trump’s second administration and the largest single foreign direct investment and greenfield project in Louisiana history, according to Louisiana Economic Development.
“Woodside’s decision to invest in Louisiana is an unmistakable signal to the world that Louisiana is the epicenter of powering the globe,” Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said. “Our ‘all-of-the-above’ approach to energy is working. We have four active LNG terminals in Louisiana—more than any other state. With more than 30,000 miles of natural gas pipelines, Louisiana is the place to be when it comes to LNG.
“We are working with President Trump to deliver on America’s energy potential.”