NextDecade LLC filed an application with the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to build and operate its proposed 27-million-metric-ton-per-year (mt/year) Rio Grande LNG export terminal at the Port of Brownsville in Texas. The company said that the project could cost up to $20 billion.

The project, which includes the 137-mile Rio Bravo pipeline to provide feed gas to the facility, is the third company seeking to export LNG from the port, including Texas LNG and Annova LNG. If it receives FERC approval and proceeds with construction, NextDecade anticipates exports to begin from the terminal by the end of 2020.

“After a productive pre-filing with the FERC and extensive consultation and cooperation with the reviewing agencies and local communities, we are proud to have achieved this major accomplishment,” Kathleen Eisbrenner, NextDecade’s CEO, was quoted as saying. “Despite recent low oil and gas prices, we have found robust appetite for U.S. LNG on a long-term basis all around the world. This interest reaffirms the price competitiveness of U.S. LNG for customers looking to diversify their gas supply on a global level.”

In November 2015, NextDecade announced that it had signed non-binding agreements for 14 million mt/year of LNG with customers from across Asia and Europe. Since then, that number has grown to 26 million mt/year.

Frank Nieto can be reached at fnieto@hartenergy.com.