Argent LNG signs strategic agreement with contractor Maire Tecnimont

Argent LNG has signed a term sheet with Italian firm Maire Tecnimont to secure its support in developing the 25mn tonnes per year (tpy) LNG facility located in Port Fourchon, Louisiana, the Italian company announced on January 21.

For Maire Tecnimont it marks the company’s first foray into the LNG exports sector, despite having business operations across 50 countries. Maire Tecnimont will offer expertise across engineering and project development throughout the permitting process of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

The Italian contractor will also provide its expertise in front-end engineering design (FEED) with a contract expected to be finalized soon as a key step towards taking final investment decision (FID) on the project.

Argent LNG and Maire Tecnimont will collaborate on a modular platform design that will be optimized for constructability, transportability and integration with original equipment manufacturers (OEM) technologies such as Baker Hughes.

“This collaboration with Argent LNG not only strengthens our presence in the US but also opens to a new market for the Group, thanks to Tecnimont's recognized capabilities in the modularized approach and its flexibility to adapt to new challenging opportunities,” Maire Tecnimont’s CEO Alessandro Bernini said in a statement.

"This term sheet represents a meaningful alignment between capital, engineering, and execution. Engaging a Tier-1 global engineering organization at this stage underscores the seriousness, discipline, and long-term vision behind the Argent LNG platform. Our objective is to build a project that meets the highest standards of technical excellence, regulatory credibility, and capital efficiency," Argent LNG Executive Chairman Jonathan Bass said.

Argent LNG will benefit from its location in one of the most strategically hurricane-resilient energy hubs in the US.

In September the company agreed to a 5mn tpy supply deal with Turkish energy firm Enerji Piyasalari Isletme AS (EPIAS).

The firm also signed a Heads of Agreement (HOA) last January with Bangladesh to buy up to 5mn tonnes of the super-chilled fuel annually over a 20-year period.