Cameron LNG Holdings LLC received authorization from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to export an additional 1.41 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of natural gas from its proposed Louisiana liquefaction expansion project to non-free trade agreement (non-FTA) countries. With this order, Cameron LNG's export capacity will be 3.53 Bcf/d, Sempra Energy said July 18.

Earlier this year, Cameron LNG received approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to site, construct and operate the proposed expansion project, which will include up to two additional liquefaction trains--trains No. 4 and No. 5--and one additional full-containment LNG storage tank--tank No. 5.

The expansion project will be next to the Cameron LNG terminal and liquefaction facilities that were approved for construction in 2014 in Hackberry, La.

Construction on the first phase of the $10 billion Cameron LNG liquefaction project, for the first three trains, is currently underway. The facility is expected to be operational during 2018, with the first full year of operations in 2019.

All necessary consents and approvals must be completed; financing must be obtained; and a final investment decision must be reached, among other conditions, Sempra said.