Americas News
Louisiana Builds First LNG Bunkering Facility in Baton-Rouge
Port of Greater Baton Rouge in Louisiana will see the state's first liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering facility, local media reports.
The facility, Tenaska Bayou LNG, will be built on 80 acres by Houston-based Waller Marine, Inc. and Omaha-based Tenaska NG Fuels, LLC.
Initial production is expected to be at 200,000 gallons, according to officials, and will expand from there.
"From this site in Baton Rouge, Tenaska and Waller Marine stand ready to assist the North American marine, transportation and high-horsepower industries transition to natural gas," said David Waller, CEO of Waller Marine.
Tenaska will act as managing partner and commercial leader for the project, while Waller will develop regional markets and handle bunker barge design and construction.
A Tenaska affiliate will operate the plant, though the companies will both have a hand in marketing the fuel.
"Baton Rouge is a great location for this facility ... The energy infrastructure to support the facility is in place, and a local workforce is available to build and operate the plant," said Doug Lauver, Tenaska's vice president of LNG development.
Officials also said that a the facility's location near the Interstate 10 and Highway 190 would also provide access to the burgeoning LNG heavy truck market, in addition to serving the needs of the marine industry.
Construction is scheduled begin in 2015, with commercial operation set for the first quarter of 2017.
A LNG export plant which may include bunkering was also planned for Louisiana earlier this year.
