Sempra Energy has officially kicked off the federal permitting process for a potential liquefied natural gas export facility on the Texas coast.

The natural gas player filed an application with the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to site, construct and operate the proposed Port Arthur LNG facility, about 140 miles east of Houston.

Sempra hopes to build two natural gas liquefaction trains capable of producing around 13.5 million tonnes per annum, three LNG storage tanks, natural gas liquids and refrigerant storage, feed gas pre-treatment facilities, two berths, and associated marine and loading facilities. A separate application was filed seeking authorisation to build natural gas pipelines to service the facility.

“We are pleased to continue advancing the Port Arthur LNG project," said Octavio Simoes, president of Sempra LNG & Midstream. "Our experience in developing, building and operating energy infrastructure will help us deliver a cost-competitive project to the global LNG market."

Earlier this year, Sempra entered a project development agreement with Woodside for the Port Arthur LNG project. The deal provided a framework for how the companies would contribute their experience and share costs related to the technical design, permitting and commercial development of the facility.

Sempra also leads the consortium developing the Cameron LNG project in Louisiana, completion of which has been delayed.

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Sempra seeks approval for Port Arthur LNG