Alaska LNG project to start by 2030, says state governor

Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy announced on Friday that exports of liquefied gas from Alaska may begin as early as 2030.

In his speech to Congress, Donald Trump praised the $44 billion Alaska LNG Project. The project will deliver approximately 3.5 billion cubic foot of gas each day, a large portion of which is destined for international markets.

No final investment decisions have been made yet. The project requires an 800-mile gas pipeline from Alaska's North to Asia.

Dunleavy, who spoke at a Houston energy conference, said that Alaska has been in contact with potential buyers from Taiwan, South Korea Japan and Thailand.

He said, "We are looking at an accelerated process to build a pipeline."

The governor's office stated in an email statement sent later on Friday that construction for the LNG pipe would begin in 2020, with gas flowing by 2028. The conditioning plant and export facility will be completed in 2030.

Dunleavy's optimistic response to the question of his timeline was: "We have the permits, the feedback from all court cases, the support of President of the United States and we have Asian Allies who need gas."

Despite opposition from environmentalists, the project was approved by Trump during his first term in office. It received authorization from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in 2020, and legal approval at its final stage in 2022.

Chris Wright, the U.S. Energy secretary, has stated that all options are available to support the project. This includes a possible loan guarantee by his department's Loan Programs Office. (Reporting and editing by Arathy S. Somasekhar, Nia Williams, David Gregorio).

(source: Reuters)