Sempra Checks Off Port Arthur, Cameron LNG Gains Among $33 Billion in Projects

Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE) (San Diego, California) is taking major strides toward some of its most widely anticipated investments, particularly in the booming market for natural gas exports. The company's Port Arthur LNG project got a key thumbs-up from regulators, while its Cameron LNG project is in its last lap. Industrial Info is tracking more than $33 billion in active projects involving Sempra, including more than $10.8 billion worth under construction.

Click on the image at right for a graph detailing Sempra's active projects in the U.S. and Mexico, by project type.

Last week, the U.S. Department of Energy authorized Sempra to export about 13.5 million tonnes per annum of domestically produced liquefied natural gas (LNG) from its estimated $3.5 billion Train 1 and $3.5 billion Train 2 at its LNG liquefaction plant in Port Arthur, Texas, to countries that do not have a free-trade agreement (FTA) with the U.S. The trains will produce a total 13.5 million tons per annum of LNG; Sempra expects to make a final investment decision on Port Arthur LNG later this year. The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved the non-FTA exports last month. For more information, see Industrial Info's project reports on Train 1 and Train 2.

In April, Sempra announced that subsidiary Cameron LNG has begun pipeline feed gas flow to its $10 billion first liquefaction train in Hackberry, Louisiana, which is the final step in commissioning. Initial production of LNG is expected to begin this quarter, and Sempra expects to begin seeing earnings from Train 1 toward the middle of the year. The first train is expected to achieve full capacity of 15 million metric tonnes per year in first-quarter 2020. For more information, see Industrial Info's project report.

Sempra also has more than $8 billion worth of projects in Mexico, where the company's IEnova subsidiary is developing a series of renewable-fueled power-generation facilities. These include the $185 million Border Solar Norte Station near Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, and its $480 million expansion, both of which are set to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2020. The two phases, which will generate 30 and 120 megawatts (MW), respectively, will utilize multicrystalline silicon photovoltaic panels. For more information, see Industrial Info's project reports on the initial phase and the expansion.

IEnova also is developing a $450 million expansion of the Energia Sierra Juarez Windfarm in La Rumorosa, Baja California Del Norte, which would add 108 MW to the 155-MW facility via the addition of 36 turbines. For more information, see Industrial Info's project report.

IEnova recently signed a capacity contract with Trafigura Group Pty Limited (Amsterdam, Netherlands), a globally integrated oil company, for an additional 740,000 barrels of storage at IEnova's Manzanillo marine terminal project in Manzanillo, Colima. Industrial Info is tracking progress at the terminal, in which IEnova and Trafigura hold 51% and 49% stakes, respectively, including the $80 million first phase, set to kick off in late summer, which would account for 700,000 barrels of storage; the estimated $60 million second phase, which is proposed to add 550,000 barrels; and the estimated $43 million third phase, which is proposed to add 350,000 barrels. For more information, see Industrial Info's project reports on Phase I, Phase II and Phase III.

Sempra reported earnings of $441 million for first-quarter 2019, a 27% increase from the same period last year. Revenues stood at $2.9 billion, a 14.3% increase.

Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, six offices in North America and 12 international offices, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Industrial Info's quality-assurance philosophy, the Living Forward Reporting Principle™, provides up-to-the-minute intelligence on what's happening now, while constantly keeping track of future opportunities. Follow IIR on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn. For more information on our coverage, send inquiries to info@industrialinfo.com or visit us online at http://www.industrialinfo.com/.