US-based infrastructure investment firm Stonepeak has bought a 40% interest in Louisiana LNG Infrastructure, owned by Australia-based global company Woodside Energy Group.
The large-scale project, located in the heart of the Gulf Coast LNG corridor with its natural gas resources and direct access to the US Gulf, forecasts total permitted capacity of 27.6 million tonnes per annum and is nearing final investment decision for the foundation development.
Construction is currently underway – ultimately five LNG plants are planned over four phases – and front-end engineering design completed.
Leading infrastructure delivery firm Bechtel is the engineering, procurement, and construction contractor and Woodside will continue to operate the project following completion of the transaction, which is expected to close in the second quarter.
James Wyper, Senior Managing Director and Head of US Private Equity at Stonepeak, said, “With the need to bring significant additional capacity online over the coming years, we have strong conviction in the critical role Louisiana LNG will play in the US LNG export market.”
Woodside CEO Meg O’Neill said Stonepeak has a demonstrable track record investing in US gas and LNG infrastructure across facilities, carriers, and floating storage and regasification units. Woodside is also investing $650,000 in Louisiana community grants this year.
Despite the impetus behind LNG from the new US administration, which is lifting export permits and fast-tracking infrastructural development, concerns persist over demand and supply, particularly in the current climate with the uncertainty surrounding US tariffs.
Shell’s quarterly update, issued today, forecasts LNG liquefaction falling from $7.1bn in Q4 2024 to $6.4bn to 68bn in the first quarter of 2025, which it largely attributed to cyclones and unplanned maintenance in Australia. Volumes in the next quarter could be impacted by the current tariffs turmoil hitting business activity and confidence.
