Image credit: Eagle LNG Partners

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Eagle LNG Partners has expressed its satisfaction regarding the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for its proposed project in Jacksonville, where the company intends to develop an LNG liquefaction and distribution facility that will be able to process around 1.5m gallons of LNG per day, store up to 12m gallons and provide LNG bunkering for ships.

Eagle LNG is requesting authorization to construct and operate an LNG terminal and export facility on the north bank of the St. Johns River in Jacksonville. And based on research, analysis, information provided by Eagle LNG, and contacts with local agencies and members of the public, the FERC has concluded in the DEIS that the project would lead to "some limited adverse environmental impacts", but with proposed and recommended mitigation measures in place, these impacts "would not be significant".

Commenting on the DEIS, Eagle LNG said a "major milestone" had been reached.

The gas provider stated: "The draft EIS puts Eagle LNG on a clear path to FID [a final investment decision] on the Jacksonville Export Project and continues Eagle LNG's success in using small-scale LNG to supply bunkering to the marine industry and to provide small scale LNG cargoes to markets in the Caribbean."

Eagle LNG's president, Sean Lalani, noted that the company was also "encouraged" that the DEIS had been released ahead of schedule.

"It moves us considerably closer to meeting our goal of expanding clean burning, domestic, and affordable LNG supply for marine bunkering and for small-scale LNG projects in the Caribbean. Once completed, the Jacksonville Export Facility will be the lowest cost source of small-scale LNG available for our marine bunkering and power generation clients," Lalani remarked.

The draft EIS comment period closes on January 7, 2019, at which point the commissioners will take into account the FERC environmental staff's recommendations when a final decision on the project is made.

The Final Environmental Impact Statement is expected in April, and a final investment decision could be made in the second half of next year.

Construction is preliminarily scheduled for the second half of 2019, with start-up and commissioning in 2021.

Other LNG activities in Florida

As previously reported, in addition to the proposed LNG liquefaction and distribution facility, Eagle LNG and Crowley Maritime Corp have together constructed a dockside LNG fuel depot at Crowley's leased property at Jacksonville's Talleyrand Marine Terminal which is to be used for the bunkering of the transportation firm's two LNG-powered ConRo ships, El Coqui and Taino. El Coqui was supplied with LNG for the first time in May.

Additionally, Eagle LNG Partners recently opened a new liquefaction facility in Maxville, Florida, which features a one million-gallon storage tank and an LNG truck-loading system. The plant will exclusively support the fuel needs of both ConRo vessels.

Last year, Eagle LNG also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) agreement with ExxonMobil and Crowley to establish the storage and technical support necessary to provide LNG bunker deliveries for vessel operators in North America.

The companies plan to initially focus their efforts in Florida before expanding to other North American markets.

Project summary: Proposed LNG liquefaction and distribution facility in Jacksonville

Eagle LNG's proposed project would include:

- one LNG storage tank with a net capacity of 45,000 cubic meters (cbm);

- three LNG trains, each with a nominal capacity of 0.33m metric tonnes per year of LNG for export, resulting in a total nominal capacity of 1.0m tonnes per year;

- marine facilities with a concrete access trestle and loading platform, and two liquid loading arms capable of docking and mooring a range of LNG vessels with an LNG cargo capacity of up to 45,000 cbm;

- LNG truck loading facilities with a dual bay capable of loading 260 to 520 LNG trucks per year;

- a boil-off gas compression system;

- on-site refrigerant storage;

- ground flare and cold vent systems; and

- utilities and support facilities.