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DNR Secretary Congratulates Cheniere Partners for Achieving Energy Milestone

BATON ROUGE – Today, Louisiana Department of Natural Resources Scott Angelle congratulated Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. for achieving a new milestone in Louisiana’s energy history.

Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. (“Cheniere Partners”) announced today that its subsidiary, Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC received an order from the U.S. Department of Energy with authorization to export domestically produced natural gas from the Sabine Pass LNG terminal as liquefied natural gas (LNG) to any country that has, or in the future develops, the capacity to import LNG and with which trade is permissible. 

“With this authorization to export natural gas, Cheniere’s Sabine Pass LNG terminal has the potential to create a positive impact on domestic natural gas production, the Haynesville Shale, and investment in additional natural gas drilling,” said Angelle.  “We are bullish on the future of natural gas and with this new opportunity, Louisiana will once again add to its long and distinguished history as an energy leader.”

“Cheniere Partners is incredibly grateful to Governor Bobby Jindal and Natural Resources Secretary Scott Angelle for their support throughout our efforts to obtain this authorization,” said Cheniere Partners Chairman and CEO Charif Souki.

This authorization will transform the Sabine Pass LNG terminal into the first bi-directional LNG processing facility capable of both importing and exporting LNG.

“The strong production of natural gas in the northwestern portion of our state and this proposed facility in southwest Louisiana together have the chance to create what I am coining the ‘Northwest-Southwest Louisiana Global Expressway,’ create jobs, increase revenues to state and local government, and improve environmental conditions,” said Angelle.  “This project will no doubt have an impact from Caddo parish to Cameron parish and everywhere in between.”

“As nuclear energy safety is of increased concern in Asia, natural gas has an opportunity to be a big winner.  This Cheniere facility will mean success for Louisiana as well,” he added.

“This is tremendous news for southwest Louisiana and the entire state,” said George Swift, President and CEO of SWLA Economic Development Alliance.  “Our region is a major energy supplier for our nation and this Cheniere project will greatly increase our production.  Utilizing natural resources from northwest Louisiana and exporting them through southwest Louisiana strengthens our state and brings two regions together.  Cheniere is to be commended for making this huge investment in our state.”

Construction on the Cheniere facility is expected to begin in 2012 with operations commencing as early as 2015.  Currently, only one other LNG export terminal exists in America.  The Kenai LNG export terminal, located in Alaska’s Cook Inlet Basin area, will close in August 2011.