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The construction of an ultra-low carbon ammonia production plant in Port Arthur is looking to bring 97 full time jobs when it becomes fully operational in 2027.

8 Rivers Capital LLC is developing the Cormorant Clean Energy Project for location within the GT Omniport complex at Texas 73 near West Port Arthur Road.

A spokesperson with the company said 8 Rivers is working on the Front End Engineering and Design, or FEED study, and anticipates breaking ground in 2025. Officials hope to have the Cormorant project fully operational in 2027.

The company recently visited Jefferson County Commissioners Court and spoke about the project, which will be in Port Arthur’s Extra Territorial Jurisdiction.

County Commissioner Michael Sinegal, whose Precinct 3 includes Port Arthur among other areas of the county, has heard from residents of the city’s Lakeside area who are worried how the facility would impact traffic.

The Texas 73 area is a highly traveled road and shows the blessing and curse of industrial growth, Sinegal said. The Texas Department of Transportation is working on solutions but it will take time, he added.

According to information from 8 Rivers, the site is expected to bring in more than a $1 billion investment to the region and create more than 1,000 construction jobs from 2024 to 2027.

A spokesperson with the company said when the time comes to move forward with hiring, officials will “absolutely engage local agencies” when asked if they will work with Texas Workforce or local colleges.

Sinegal’s concern, as with any business or industry coming in, is hiring locals, he said.

The project

The Cormorant project is powered by 8 Rivers’ proprietary 8RH₂ hydrogen process, representing the first commercial deployment of the technology.

Cormorant will produce an estimated 880,000 tonnes of ammonia and capture more than 1.4MM tonnes of CO₂ annually, with a >99% CO₂ capture rate, according to company information.

At Cormorant, hydrogen produced by 8RH₂ will be turned into ultra-low-carbon ammonia that can be used for transportation, industrial processes, agriculture, and more, all with best-in-class efficiency and carbon capture. Cormorant’s strategic location in the U.S. Gulf Coast region enables the project to leverage existing infrastructure, a skilled workforce, and the region’s commitment to the energy transition.