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SABINE PASS — Justin Bird got right to the point early in his remarks.

The Sempra Infrastructure CEO said he is part of the team building one of the largest LNG export facilities in the world “right here in Port Arthur.”

Bird was speaking Friday onsite at the Port Arthur LNG construction.

Dubbed a ground breaking ceremony, complete with ceremonial dirt turning, the event actually highlighted a year’s worth of construction work that has already taken place at the facility off Gulfway Drive in Port Arthur that is easily visible on the southside of the road when driving toward Sabine Pass.

“I want to thank the community for working with us to get this critical piece of infrastructure under construction,” Bird said. “Today marks another important milestone for this project and for its positive impact on local, regional and national economies.”

According to Bird, the Port Arthur LNG project team has invested more than $3 million to support Jefferson County communities through grants to local nonprofits, schools and business development efforts since 2015. This has led to more than 1,000 new jobs and an anticipated 5,000-plus total jobs at peak construction.

The project is positioned around the ship channel with access to natural gas, creating a sustainable LNG export pipeline to improve energy security for U.S. allies.

“Today, the United States is a global leader in the export of LNG,” Bird said. “Going forward, we expect our industry will double America’s export capacity because of the continued demand we see from Europe and Asia, as well as the need to displace coal from power production.”

According to Bird, Port Arthur is “uniquely positioned” to meet the moment, with Phase 1 under construction as the first of several planned. Port Arthur is expected to serve as a flagship energy hub for America’s growing leadership role in the supply for global natural gas.

“The real winner, if we do our job, is the American worker and our American allies, who get improved energy security and, importantly, a lower carbon footprint,” Bird said.

Building projects with a purpose

Bechtel, a global leader in the field, is leading construction on the ground in Sabine Pass.

Chairman and CEO Brendan Bechtel called the Port Arthur LNG project, “history in the making.”

Together, with the Sempra and ConocoPhillips teams, project leaders are going to deliver a world class facility, he said, with state-of-the art engineering, construction and operation.

“I also mean it is going to be world class in terms of the impact it has, both as an asset to the Gulf Coast economy and as another pillar of America’s global leadership as the No. 1 supplier of one of the world’s most important energy sources,” Bechtel said.

“It’s a source of tremendous satisfaction that we have helped transform the Gulf Coast into one of the world’s premiere hubs for LNG at a time when it has never been needed more.

For those who wonder if America can still do big things, Bechtel said work like Port Arthur demonstrates important, game-changing infrastructure projects are being built efficiently and effectively in the U.S.

“It proves that there are solutions,” he said.

“Our experience here in Port Arthur gives me confidence that America can still think big, build big and keep our economy strong and competitive for our kids and our grandkids.

“We are thrilled to be working with area high schools and colleges to train more great people to opt into careers in construction, especially more women.”

The project

Phase 1 is under construction, and the development of the Phase 2 project could increase the total liquefaction capacity of the facility from approximately 13 million tonnes per annum to approximately 26 million.

Port Arthur LNG Phase 1 is designed to include two natural gas liquefaction trains, two LNG storage tanks and associated facilities.

Sempra Infrastructure is working to develop the proposed Port Arthur Pipeline Texas Connector project, the proposed Port Arthur Pipeline Louisiana Connector project and develop new gas storage facilities, all of which would serve the Port Arthur LNG facility.

To further the advancement of the Port Arthur Energy Hub, the company acquired 38,000 acres of pore space and relevant surface rights to support the proposed Titan Carbon Sequestration project, which is proximal in location to the Port Arthur LNG facility.

The project targets capturing carbon from Sempra Infrastructure’s Port Arthur LNG Phase 1 and 2 projects that are under development and has the potential to unlock other net-zero energy infrastructure opportunities.

The potential comprehensive development would enhance the total value of Port Arthur project and deliver significant value for the local community, opening up substantial avenues for economic growth opportunities for the region, company officials say.

Project leaders look to be operational in 2027.