U.S. Southeast Set for More than $12 Billion in Second-Quarter 2016 Kickoffs, Fueled by NGL, LNG Projects

Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--The U.S. Southeast region has a higher dollar value attached to its second-quarter 2016 construction kickoffs than most other U.S. regions, with 337 projects worth $12.56 billion set to begin construction, according to Industrial Info's project database. Roughly one-third of these projects are fueled by natural gas, which is becoming increasingly important in a region traditionally fueled by coal. More than 80% of the total investment value (TIV) can be attributed to just four industries: Industrial Manufacturing, Oil & Gas Production, Oil & Gas Pipelines, and Power.

Click on the image at right for a graph detailing active projects scheduled to kick off in the second quarter of 2016 in the U.S. Southeast by industry.

The Southeast region includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

The Industrial Manufacturing Industry leads the way with $3.73 billion in kickoffs projected for the second quarter. The largest is Jacksonville Port Authority's $700 million harbor-deepening project in Jacksonville, Florida. The authorities plan to deepen a 13-mile stretch of the existing channel from 40 to 47 feet. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is managing the project. For more information, see Industrial Info's project report.

The Oil & Gas Production Industry is in a solid second place with $2.97 billion in projects set to begin construction from April through June, although most of that total is attributed to Kinder Morgan Incorporated's (NYSE:KMI) (Houston, Texas) $2.5 billion Elba Island LNG export plant in Savannah, Georgia. The facility, which recently signed offtake agreements with Royal Dutch Shell plc (NYSE:RDS.A) (The Hague, Netherlands), is among those seeking to benefit from the growing international demand for U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG). Industrial Info has chronicled the project's fortunes in the January 14, 2016, article - Potential First-Half 2016 Natural Gas Production Kick-Offs Amount to $57 Billion, but Many Could be Cut Short, and the November 24, 2015, article - Dynamic Global Market Forces Take Toll on North American LNG Projects. For more information on the project itself, see Industrial Info's project report.

The Oil & Gas Pipelines Industry isn't too far behind, with $2.26 billion in projected kickoffs in the Southeast for the second quarter. But the largest of these, Kinder Morgan's $270 million conversion of a natural gas pipeline in Mississippi, has been stuck in the early planning stages for several years. It would convert 264 miles of the Tennessee Gas Pipeline to 150,000 barrels per day (BBL/d) of Y-grade natural gas liquids (NGL). For more information on the project, see Industrial Info's project report.

The Power Generation Industry has more than $1.18 billion in projects set to begin construction from April through June, the largest of which is Tennessee Valley Authority's (NYSE:TVE) (Knoxville, Tennessee) $250 million addition of a seepage barrier at the Boone Dam Hydro Station in Kingsport, Tennessee. The project also features the construction of an automated network of sensors to monitor the dam pressure and temperature, as well as tailrace and seepage filters. Black & Veatch Incorporated (Overland Park, Kansas) is performing engineering services. For more information on the project, see Industrial Info's project report.

The six remaining highest-valued projects set to begin construction in the U.S. Southeast in the second quarter are:

• $553 million: Advanced Munitions International's manufacturing and distribution facility in Alcoa, Tennessee
  For more information on the project, see Industrial Info's project report.
• $400 million: Noble Energy Incorporated's subsea field track, offshore Gulf of Mexico
  For more information on the project, see Industrial Info's project report.
• $400 million: Denso Manufacturing Tennessee Company's Starter Alternator plant in Maryville, Tennessee
  For more information on the project, see Industrial Info's project report.
• $320 million: Port Everglades Department of Broward County's Deepwater Port improvement project in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
  For more information on the project, see Industrial Info's project report.
• $258 million: Florida Department of Transportation's Sunrail Commuter Rail transit corridor project in Orlando, Florida
  For more information on the project, see Industrial Info's project report.
• $205 million: Georgia Renewable Power LLC's biomass-to-energy facility in Carnesville, Georgia
  For more information on the project, see Industrial Info's project report.

About two-thirds of the region's TIV--about $8.39 billion--is related to 125 projects that are now in the planning stages, where plenty of factors could increase, decrease or eliminate the expected spending. The region also has 82 projects worth $3.49 billion in the engineering stages, while 130 projects worth about $684 million already have kicked off the first stage of construction and will kick off the next in the second quarter.

Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, five offices in North America and 10 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/.