US Gives Final Approvals to Freeport for LNG Exports

The U.S. Department of Energy gave two final approvals on Friday to Freeport LNG Development LP to export liquefied natural gas, or LNG, from its project in Texas to any country.

The planned project in Quintana Island, Texas, would have the capacity to export up to 1.8 billion cubic feet a day of LNG once constructed.

With domestic gas production booming, U.S. companies have lined up to ship the nation's abundant shale gas to energy- hungry consumers in Europe and Asia. The companies need special approval to export LNG to countries with which Washington does not have free trade agreements.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved construction of the project in July.

(Reporting by Timothy Gardner; Editing by Dan Grebler)