Golden Pass LNG project’s T1 is complete
The first train of the Golden Pass LNG project is technically complete and is expected to ship its maiden LNG cargo by the first quarter of next year, as commissioning of the project’s feed-gas pipeline compressor stations is almost complete, the company reported.
According to the Global LNG Database, the 18.1 MMT/Y Golden Pass LNG was scheduled to start up in 2024-2025, but has faced significant delays, largely due to the bankruptcy of its original main engineering, procurement and construction contractor, the Zachary Group, in May 2024.
The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has already granted Golden Pass permission to inject hashtag#hazardous liquids into the project’s thermal oxidizers.
Chiyoda Corporation (leader) and McDermott International, Ltd. are currently the main contractors for Golden Pass LNG, after a U.S. Federal Bankruptcy Court ruled in July 2024, allowing the remaining contractors to continue onstruction work.
The project’s shareholders are ExxonMobile (30%) and QatarEnergy (70%).
Woodside announces Louisiana LNG partnership with Williams
Woodside Energy signed and closed a transaction with Williams, a U.S. natural gas infrastructure, for an integrated investment in Louisiana LNG, according to a Oct. 23 news release by Woodside Energy.
The strategic partnership involves the sale by Woodside of a 10% interest in Louisiana LNG LLC (HoldCo) and an 80% interest and operatorship of Driftwood Pipeline LLC to Williams for a purchase price of $250 million at the effective date of Jan. 1, 2025.
The total proceeds received are $378 million including proportionate capital reimbursement since the effective date.
The transaction represents the next key stage towards realising Woodside’s strategy for Louisiana LNG. It not only secures capital and offtake commitments but also brings a strong strategic partner with complementary capabilities in U.S. natural gas infrastructure and an existing gas sourcing platform, Sequent Energy Management.
Williams will contribute its share of the capital expenditure for the LNG facility and pipeline, of approximately $1.9 billion. As part of the investment in Louisiana LNG, Williams assumes LNG offtake obligations for 10% of produced volumes.
Williams currently operates more than 33,000 miles of pipeline across 24 states in the U.S. and its Sequent platform has a marketing and optimisation footprint of more than 7 Bcf/d. It will utilise its extensive pipeline experience to construct and operate the Line 200 pipeline to the Louisiana LNG Terminal.
Leveraging the established Sequent platform and capabilities, a gas supply team will operationalise and optimise daily gas sourcing and balancing in accordance with Louisiana LNG’s gas procurement strategy.
Sequent’s gas marketing and asset optimisation expertise will support reliable feedgas supply for the benefit of all Louisiana LNG participants.
Greenflash acquires pre-NTP battery storage project
Greenflash Infrastructure, L.P. announced Oct. 14 the acquisition of Rock Rose, a 200 MW/400 MWh pre-Notice-to-Proceed (NTP) stand-alone battery energy storage project located in Fort Bend County from Advanced Power, reported BusinessWire.com.
The project adds to Greenflash’s Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) portfolio and was selected for its interconnection position, transmission access, and capacity to support grid reliability and flexible dispatch. The acquisition supports Greenflash’s strategy to deploy utility-scale battery projects across ERCOT.
“This acquisition adds near-term, execution-ready capacity toward our 5 GW ERCOT buildout,” said Vishal Apte, managing partner at Greenflash.
“ERCOT, like other major power markets in the U.S., has an urgent need for projects that enhance grid reliability,” said Advanced Power’s CEO Tom Spang. “As a premier developer of thermal, renewable, and now, BESS technology, Advanced Power is committed to bringing these contemporary power solutions to companies like Greenflash, who recognize the region’s urgent and growing energy and capacity needs. We look forward to their continuing success, as they advance Rock Rose through construction and long-term operations.”
The fully permitted, interconnection-ready project is expected to receive NTP in 2026, with commercial operations targeted for mid-2027.
Alabama-Coushatta Tribe announces location of new Naskila Casino Resort
The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas recently announce that its long-anticipated casino resort will be located in Leggett, on its existing reservation land, according to a press release.
The Tribe recently received official notification from the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) and the Solicitor’s Office for the Bureau of Indian Affairs confirming that the Leggett land, which has been in trust since 2001, is eligible to be used for gaming purposes.
This confirmation from the two federal agencies affirms that the project can move forward. Upon confirmation, the Tribal Council presented the change in location to the Tribal membership, who granted approval during a General Membership Meeting held Sept. 20.
Since the opening of Naskila in 2016, there have been several independent economic impact studies conducted on the casino.
In a recent study conducted in the summer of 2025, by the Texas Forest Country Partnership, “a total of just over 1,000 permanent local jobs are attributable to the operational impact of Naskila, which means this facility alone accounts for more than 15% of the private sector wages paid in Polk County.”
Approximately 570 local jobs beyond those on-site depend on the operational presence of Naskila and its ability to bring dollars to Polk County. As such, it is responsible for over $209 million in annual spending in the local economy, a process that benefits every stakeholder in the area.”
The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas will release additional updates on the casino resort.
Military spending up 77% in Louisiana
Military-related spending in Louisiana generated more than $17 billion in total economic activity during fiscal year 2024, according to a new statewide analysis released Nov. 12 by the Louisiana Economic Development (LEC).
The report shows notable expansion in the state’s defense sector since the previous study four years ago, underscoring the military’s continued impact on jobs, investment and community development.
Since 2021, total military-related economic output has increased by 77%, and employment has risen 52%, with more than 117,000 jobs and $707 million in state and local tax revenues supported by defense activity across Louisiana.
“Louisiana is competing and winning in the defense economy,” Gov. Jeff Landry said. “Our shipyards, bases and defense companies are creating jobs, driving innovation and powering growth in every region of our state.”
