U.S. Approves World’s Largest LNG Platform

The United States has approved, for the first time, the construction of a $5 billion floating production platform to be used for liquefied natural gas (LNG) production and export. Once implemented, the project will become the world’s largest LNG production platform.

The project, led by Houston-based Delfin Midstream with the participation of international investors, has been licensed by the U.S. Maritime Administration. Export authorization for the three vessels planned under the project has also been granted by the U.S. Department of Energy. It was also noted that Delfin Midstream has already secured sales agreements with various international buyers, and that Japan-based shipping company MOL is involved in the project.

The investment had previously been approved under the “American Energy” policy package announced in March 2025. However, the project has faced criticism for allegedly lacking sufficient environmental assessment and public consultation processes. In a statement, the U.S. Department of Transportation emphasized that the project will strengthen the country’s energy capacity and support energy supply, while critics have raised concerns about whether LNG exports will positively impact domestic energy prices.

World’s Largest Floating Port Project

The project, which will involve the construction of the world’s largest floating port, was initially rejected in 2024. However, a regulatory change in 2025 transferred licensing authority for offshore energy projects from the Coast Guard to the Maritime Administration, accelerating the process. Officials noted that this is the first offshore LNG export terminal to be licensed in the U.S., emphasizing that the approval process took nearly a decade.

Delfin Midstream plans to begin LNG production in 2030. In the first phase, an annual capacity of 4.4 million tons is targeted, with plans to increase capacity to 13.2 million tons in later phases. In line with this, daily exports of approximately 1.8 billion cubic feet of natural gas are planned.

The facility, whose platforms will be built by South Korea-based Samsung Heavy Industries, is planned to be located approximately 40 miles offshore from Cameron Parish, Louisiana.

With this development, the Delfin project has become one of only two offshore oil and gas terminal licenses granted in the U.S. The other project is the Texas GulfLink oil export terminal being constructed off the coast of Texas.

Sources: FreightWaves, Delfin Midstream