McMoRan Crosses Main Pass Hurdle

McMoRan Exploration Co. said MarAd approved McMoRan's license application for its Main Pass Energy Hub(TM) (MPEH(TM)) project. MARAD concluded in the Record of Decision that construction and operation of MPEH(TM) deepwater port will be in the national interest and consistent with national security and other national policy goals and objectives, including energy sufficiency and environmental quality. MARAD also concluded that MPEH(TM) will fill a vital role in meeting national energy requirements for many years to come and that the port's offshore deepwater location will help reduce congestion and enhance safety in receiving LNG cargoes to the U.S.

MARAD's approval and issuance of the Deepwater Port license for MPEH(TM) is subject to various terms, criteria and conditions contained in the Record of Decision, including demonstration of financial responsibility, compliance with applicable laws and regulations, environmental monitoring and other customary conditions. This approval is an important milestone as McMoRan continues to pursue the highly attractive commercial potential for the project. The project's location near large and liquid U.S. gas markets and the significant potential of the onsite cavern storage provide attractive commercial opportunities for LNG suppliers, natural gas consumers and marketers. The MPEH(TM) facility, as approved, will be capable of regasifying LNG at a peak rate of 1.6 Billion cubic feet (Bcf) per day, storing 28 Bcf of natural gas in salt caverns and delivering 3.1 Bcf per day, including gas from storage, of natural gas to the U.S. market. Unique advantages of the MPEH(TM) project include use of existing offshore structures, onsite natural gas cavern storage capabilities, significant logistical savings associated with the offshore location and premium markets available from its eastern Gulf of Mexico location. These advantages would provide LNG suppliers with a highly attractive netback price and offer U.S. natural gas consumers a reliable source of supply.

McMoRan is continuing discussions with potential LNG suppliers as well as gas marketers and consumers in the United States to develop commercial arrangements for the facilities. Prior to commencing construction of the facility, McMoRan expects to enter into commercial arrangements that would enable McMoRan to finance the construction costs of the project, with preliminary estimates of approximately $1 billion (approximately half of which is for pipelines and cavern storage), on favorable terms. Source: Rigzone