Baker Hughes secures another Rio Grande order

Baker Hughes has received an order from Bechtel Energy Inc. to supply primary liquefaction equipment for Train 5 of NextDecade’s Rio Grande LNG project in Brownsville, Texas. The award builds on a recent order for Train 4 and falls under a framework agreement covering Baker Hughes equipment and associated services for Trains 4 through 8.

The Rio Grande LNG project, currently under phased construction, is among the largest LNG developments in the United States. Each train is designed to add roughly 6 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of export capacity once in operation.

A Baker Hughes Frame 7 Gas turbine. (Image: Baker Hughes)

“Our continued collaboration with Baker Hughes on the Rio Grande LNG project highlights their consistent delivery of industry-leading technology and expertise,” said Bhupesh Thakkar, general manager for Bechtel’s LNG business. “We value Baker Hughes’ ongoing support as we progress this significant expansion, which will be vital for meeting growing global energy demand.”

The Train 5 equipment package will mirror the technology deployed in previous trains. It includes two Frame 7 gas turbines and six centrifugal compressors designed to deliver high availability and operational efficiency. The Frame 7 turbines, widely used in LNG liquefaction, are known for their reliability and emissions performance in continuous-duty applications.

“Securing this order for the fifth train of the Rio Grande LNG project underscores the confidence in our proven technology and the dedication of our teams,” said Baker Hughes Chairman and CEO Lorenzo Simonelli. “We are pleased to extend our collaboration with Bechtel and NextDecade, providing efficient and reliable technology solutions for LNG infrastructure that is critical to sustainable energy development.”

In addition to the turbomachinery scope for Train 5, Baker Hughes is providing a digital monitoring and diagnostics solution for Trains 1 through 3 through the deployment of Cordant Asset Health. The platform will support equipment performance monitoring, failure diagnostics, and cloud-based vibration data visualization for the facility’s critical rotating equipment.

NextDecade’s Rio Grande LNG facility is expected to play a key role in expanding U.S. LNG export capacity in the second half of the decade. The project is being built with a modular approach, adding liquefaction trains in stages to meet commercial commitments and market demand.