Tecnimont begins FEED work on 25 mtpa Argent LNG project

Tecnimont USA Inc. has signed a front-end engineering design contract with Argent LNG for its planned 25 million tonnes per annum LNG export facility at Port Fourchon, Louisiana. (Image: Argent LNG)

Tecnimont USA Inc. has signed a front-end engineering design contract with Argent LNG for its planned 25 million tonnes per annum LNG export facility at Port Fourchon, Louisiana.

Under the contract, Tecnimont USA, part of MAIRE, will carry out FEED engineering and provide technical support for the project’s Federal Energy Regulatory Commission permitting process.

The scope includes project execution planning, engineering documentation, schedule and cost estimates, safety and reliability studies and integration of the facility’s major technology packages.

The FEED work is intended to further define the project ahead of a potential final investment decision and engineering, procurement and construction phase.

MAIRE said the agreement follows a cooperation arrangement announced in January that established Tecnimont as an engineering and technology services provider for the project.

Project advances through FERC process

Argent LNG is currently in FERC’s pre-filing process under Docket No. PF25-11-000.

Argent submitted its request to begin the pre-filing environmental review process in September 2025, and FERC staff accepted the project into pre-filing the following month. FERC emphasizes that the project has not yet received authorization to proceed with construction.

FERC lists the proposed facility in Lafourche Parish as having approximately 3.45 Bcf/d of feed gas capacity.

Argent plans to develop the project in phases, with the first phase targeting approximately 12 mtpa and full buildout reaching 25 mtpa. The developer is targeting first LNG production around 2030.

Following completion of FEED, the FERC permitting process and a final investment decision, Tecnimont said the project is expected to transition into an EPC phase.

“The signing of the FEED contract marks an important step forward in our collaboration with Argent LNG and testifies to the confidence placed in Tecnimont’s engineering and project development capabilities,” said Alessandro Bernini, CEO of MAIRE.

Modular liquefaction planned

The Port Fourchon project is being designed around modular LNG technology rather than a conventional large-train configuration.

Argent LNG says Baker Hughes will provide its NMBL modular liquefaction technology and LM9000 gas turbines for the project. The developer also lists Honeywell UOP and ABB among its technology partners.

According to Argent, the facility is being developed around multiple mid-scale liquefaction trains that can be added incrementally as capacity increases. The company said the modular approach is intended to reduce field construction requirements and allow more equipment to be fabricated, assembled and tested before delivery to the site.

Argent currently describes the project as using five Baker Hughes LM9000 gas turbines as part of its liquefaction configuration.

The LM9000 is an aeroderivative gas turbine developed for mechanical-drive and power-generation applications, including LNG compression.

Argent has said its Port Fourchon development will be the first U.S. LNG export project designed entirely around Baker Hughes’ NMBL modular liquefaction system.

Port Fourchon location

The project is planned on more than 900 acres at Port Fourchon under a long-term lease. Argent said the site provides access to existing Gulf Coast natural gas infrastructure as well as marine facilities for LNG exports.

The company has identified connections in the region to pipeline systems operated by Enbridge, Williams and Kinder Morgan, among others.

Jonathan Bass, chairman and CEO of Argent LNG, said completion of the FEED agreement moves the project “from vision to execution.”

“Tecnimont brings world-class engineering depth, gas pressure treatment expertise, integration and modular expertise that will give our lenders, offtakers and partners confidence in a bankable, buildable project,” Bass said.

Argent is targeting first cargo in 2030, although the project remains subject to completion of federal permitting, financing and a final investment decision.