Withdrawn, Cancelled, and Disapproved Applications
Approved – Withdrawn After Record of Decision and Prior to License Issuance
Bienville Offshore Energy Terminal (TORP Terminal L.P.)
Deepwater Port Type: LNG Import Facility (Average throughput capacity: 1.20 billion standard cubic feet per day)
TORP Technology LP filed an application on January 12, 2006, for a Liquefied Natural Gas facility to be located in the Gulf of Mexico, 63 miles south of Mobile Point, Alabama. On October 9, 2008, the applicant elected to withdraw its application in order to consider technical modifications to its proposed project. On October 29, 2010, the Maritime Administration approved with conditions, the modified TORP Terminal deepwater port license application. The approval conditions required that TORP Terminal meet all financial responsibilities requirements of the Deepwater Port Act of 1974, as amended.
Since the issuance of the Record of Decision, TORP Terminal has been unable to meet the financial responsibility conditions required for license issuance. As a result, TORP Terminal withdrew its deepwater port license application from the final licensing process and terminated all project activities. In response, the Maritime Administration acknowledged TORP’s withdrawal and rescinded the official Record of Decision on June 18, 2012. This project remains closed.
Main Pass Energy Hub (Freeport McMoRan)
Deepwater Port Type: LNG Import Facility (Average throughput capacity: 1.00 billion standard cubic feet per day; Peak throughput capacity: 1.60 billion standard cubic feet per day)
Main Pass Energy Hub, LLC filed an application for a deepwater port license on February 27, 2004. The proposed facility would have been located in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Louisiana. On May 5, 2006, the Governor of Louisiana used his authority as the Governor of an Adjacent Coastal State to veto the project based on proposed use of the open-loop regasification system and the possible environmental impacts to the marine life in the Gulf of Mexico.
On May 31, 2006, the applicant resubmitted an amended application, proposing the use of a closed-loop regasification system. The revised application was deemed complete and the supplemental Environmental Assessment on the proposed change was circulated for public comment. A favorable Record of Decision was issued by the Maritime Administration on January 3, 2007, pending the applicant’s compliance with a five-year period and a possible one year extension to demonstrate financial responsibility in accordance with requirements of the Deepwater Port Act of 1974, as amended.
Due to significant financial challenges, Freeport McMoRan was unable to meet the required conditions of the Record of Decision. As such, on January 2, 2012, the Maritime Administration rescinded its favorable Record of Decision for the Freeport McMoRan project.
Withdrawn and Disapproved Applications Prior to Record of Decision Issuance
Eleven applications have been withdrawn before a Record of Decision was issued, these applications include: Beacon Port, Calypso LNG, Clearwater Port, Crude Offshore Loading Terminal (COLT), Compass Port, Liberty Natural Gas, Oceanway Secure Energy, Pearl Crossing, Safe Harbor Energy, Texas Gulf Terminals and the Texas Offshore Port System projects. Seven of the eleven application withdrawals occurred between 2006 and 2011, due primarily to financial and environmental issues relating to the subject proposals as well as public opposition to the respective projects as the result of the anticipated effects on the environment.
Also, during between 2007 and 2015, two applications were disapproved: Cabrillo Port (2007) and Port Ambrose (2015). Information regarding these projects are discussed in detail below.
Withdrawn Applications
Beacon Port (Beacon Port LLC [ConocoPhillips])
Deepwater Port Type: LNG Import Facility (Average throughput capacity: 1.50 billion standard cubic feet per day; Peak throughput capacity: 1.80 billion standard cubic feet per day)
On January 19, 2005, Beacon Port LLC filed an application to import LNG. The application was determined to be complete on May 10, 2005. The proposed LNG facility would have consisted of two Gravity Based Structures in the Gulf of Mexico. The main terminal would have been located approximately 45 miles south of High Island and 50 miles east-southeast of Galveston, Texas, with a riser platform in lease block West Cameron 167, located approximately 27 miles south of Holly Beach and 29 miles southeast of Johnson's Bayou, Louisiana.
On November 3, 2006, the applicant informed the Maritime Administration and the Coast Guard of its intention to withdraw its deepwater port license application, as it no longer had a business need for an LNG deepwater port off the Louisiana coast. In response, the Maritime Administration announced in the November 9, 2006 Federal Register (71 FR 65877) that a license would not be granted as a result of the application withdrawal. This project remains closed with the Maritime Administration.
Calypso LNG (Calypso LNG LLC [Suez LNG N.A.])
Deepwater Port Type: LNG Import Facility (Average throughput capacity: 1.10 billion standard cubic feet per day; Peak throughput capacity: 1.90 billion standard cubic feet per day)
Calypso LNG LLC filed an application on March 2, 2006, for a liquefied natural gas import facility 12 miles off the coast of Port Everglades, Florida. The application was initially deemed incomplete, but was later revised and resubmitted for review and processing. On October 13, 2006, the Maritime Administration and the U.S. Coast Guard deemed the revised application complete.
On February 25, 2009, Calypso LNG LLC submitted a letter to the Maritime Administration to withdraw the Calypso application from the Federal review process, due to significant public opposition and environmental impact concerns. The Maritime Administration, in a letter dated February 27, 2009, acknowledged Suez’s withdrawal and terminated its application for a deepwater port license. The project remains closed with the Maritime Administration.
Clearwater Port (Clearwater Port LLC [NorthernStar Natural Gas Inc., Formerly Crystal Energy])
Deepwater Port Type: LNG Import Facility (Average throughput capacity: 1.20 billion standard cubic feet per day; Peak throughput capacity: 1.40 billion standard cubic feet per day)
Clearwater Port filed an application on January 28, 2004, for a liquefied natural gas import facility 12.6 miles off the coast of Ventura County, California. The proposed facility would have converted an existing off-shore oil drilling platform into a liquefied natural gas receiving terminal. Environmental analysis work continued on the application until October 2008, when Clearwater Port requested that the State of California, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Maritime Administration suspend processing activities on the joint Environmental Impact Statement and Environmental Impact Report.
On March 10, 2010, the California State Lands Commission issued a formal notice to Clearwater Port LLC indicating that the application for a General Lease-Right of Way Use Permit was terminated. Thereafter, the Maritime Administration terminated the Clearwater deepwater port license application on May 7, 2010. The Clearwater proposal remains closed with the Maritime Administration.
Crude Offshore Loading Terminal (COLT) (Texas COLT LLC)
Deepwater Port Type: Oil Export Facility (Proposed throughput capacity: 85,000 barrels per hour; 2,000,000 barrels per day)
On February 4, 2019, the Maritime Administration and U.S. Coast Guard received an application from Texas COLT LLC for all Federal authorizations required for a license to own, construct, and operate a deepwater port for the export of domestically produced crude oil. The deepwater port would be located approximately 27.8 nautical miles off the coast of Freeport, Texas. After a coordinated completeness review by the Maritime Administration, the U.S. Coast Guard, and other cooperating Federal agencies, the application was deemed complete on February 26, 2019, as it contained information sufficient to initiate processing. A Federal Register Notice of Application (84 FR 7968) was issued to that effect on March 5, 2019.
The Maritime Administration, in cooperation with the U.S. Coast Guard, hosted an open house and public scoping meeting on March 22, 2019 in Lake Jackson, Texas for the COLT deepwater port license application. On December 10, 2019, Texas COLT LLC advised the Maritime Administration of its withdrawal of the COLT application. The Maritime Administration, in a letter dated December 18, 2019, acknowledged the withdrawal and terminated the Texas Colt LLC application for a deepwater port license.
Compass Port (Compass Port LLC [ConocoPhillips])
Deepwater Port Type: LNG Import Facility (Average throughput capacity: 1.02 billion standard cubic feet per day)
Compass Port LLC filed a deepwater port application for a natural gas import facility on March 29, 2004, which was deemed complete on May 20, 2004. The proposed Gravity Based Structure facility would have been located off the coasts of Alabama and Mississippi.
On June 8, 2006, ConocoPhillips advised the Maritime Administration of its withdrawal of the Compass Port application. The Maritime Administration, in a letter dated June 9, 2006, acknowledged ConocoPhillips’ withdrawal and terminated its application for a deepwater port license.
Liberty Natural Gas (Liberty Natural Gas LLC [Canadian Superior])
Deepwater Port Type: LNG Import Facility (Average throughput capacity: 2.40 billion standard cubic feet per day; Peak throughput capacity: 3.00 billion standard cubic feet per day)
Liberty Natural Gas filed an application on September 28, 2010, to own, construct and operate a liquefied natural gas deepwater port, located approximately 16.2 miles off the coast of New Jersey near Asbury Park and connected via offshore pipeline to a 9.2 mile onshore pipeline. However, the Governor of New Jersey issued a letter disapproving the Liberty Natural Gas import application on February 8, 2011. Liberty Natural Gas submitted an amended, deepwater port application on November 29, 2011.
On March 30, 2012, Liberty Natural Gas withdrew its deepwater port license application. Accordingly, the Maritime Administration in a letter dated April 25, 2012, accepted Liberty’s withdrawal and terminated the application and all related processing activities. To date, the project remains closed with the Maritime Administration.
Oceanway Secure Energy (Woodside Natural Gas, Inc.)
Deepwater Port Type: LNG Import Facility (Average throughput capacity: 1.00 billion standard cubic feet per day; Peak throughput capacity: 1.60 billion standard cubic feet per day)
Woodside Natural Gas filed an application with the Maritime Administration for a license under the Deepwater Port Act, to build, own and operate a liquefied natural gas import facility on August 18, 2006. On July 30, 2007, Woodside and the Maritime Administration announced an agreement to register two vessels under the U.S. flag and to employ American officers and crews in the operation of the proposed Oceanway facility.
On January 15, 2009, Woodside officially suspended work on the Oceanway Secure Energy project and withdrew its application for a Deepwater Port License. Woodside’s decision to terminate its project was due primarily to global market conditions that would have significantly impacted the viability of the project, public opposition and the anticipated impacts on the environment. On January 26, 2009, the Maritime Administration acknowledged the withdrawal of Woodside’s application and thereafter, terminated all processing activities. To date, the Woodside project remains closed with the Maritime Administration.
Pearl Crossing (Pearl Crossing LLC [ExxonMobil])
Deepwater Port Type: LNG Import Facility (Peak throughput capacity: 2.80 billion standard cubic feet per day)
Pearl Crossing LLC filed an application on May 25, 2004, for a concrete Gravity Based Structure to be built in the Gulf of Mexico, approximately 41 miles south of Cameron, Louisiana. The LNG import application was deemed complete on July 8, 2004 and a Federal Register Notice of Application was issued on July 21, 2004 (69 FR 43618).
On October 19, 2005, ExxonMobil withdrew the deepwater port license application for Pearl Crossing and terminated the project, indicating it intends to construct and operate an onshore LNG terminal. The Maritime Administration and the U.S. Coast Guard issued a Notice of Cancellation on December 8, 2005, stating that the applicant cancelled all actions related to processing the Pearl Crossing deepwater port license application. To date, the Pearl Crossing project remains closed with the Maritime Administration.
Safe Harbor Energy (Atlantic Sea Island Group LLC)
Deepwater Port Type: LNG Import Facility (Average throughput capacity: 1.15 billion standard cubic feet per day)
On September 16, 2006, Atlantic Sea Island Group LLC (ASIG) filed an application with the Maritime Administration and the U.S. Coast Guard for a license under the Deepwater Port Act, to construct, own and operate a LNG receiving, storage and regasification deepwater port import facility, known as Safe Harbor Energy. The proposed Safe Harbor Energy deepwater port would consist of a 60.5-acre manmade island to be located 13.5 miles south of the City of Long Beach, New York and 19 miles east of Highlands, New Jersey.
On June 29, 2010, ASIG advised the Maritime Administration and U.S. Coast Guard of their intention to cancel work on the Safe Harbor Energy project for an indefinite period of time, given the change in the existing natural gas market conditions. By letter dated July 23, 2010, the Maritime Administration and U.S. Coast Guard acknowledged withdrawal of ASIG's Safe Harbor Energy deepwater port license application and thereafter, terminated all Federal processing activities. To date, the project remains closed with the Maritime Administration.
Texas Gulf Terminals (Texas Gulf Terminals, Inc)
Port Type: Oil Export Facility. Proposed capacity: 60,000 barrels per hour; 1,440,000 barrels per day.
On July 9, 2018, the Maritime Administration received an application from Texas Gulf Terminals, Inc. for all Federal authorizations required for a license to own, construct, and operate a deepwater port to export oil to foreign markets abroad. The proposed deepwater port would be located approximately 12.7 nautical miles off the coast of North Padre Island in Kleberg County, Texas.
On February 28, 2020, Texas Gulf Terminals withdrew the deepwater port license application for the Texas Gulf Terminals and terminated the project. The Maritime Administration and the U.S. Coast Guard will issue a Notice of Cancellation to state that the applicant cancelled all actions related to processing the Texas Gulf Terminals deepwater port license application. To date, the Texas Gulf Terminals project remains closed with the Maritime Administration.
Texas Offshore Port System
Deepwater Port Type: Oil Import Facility (Capacity: 1.80 million barrels per day)
On December 8, 2008, the Texas Offshore Port System partnership filed an application with the Maritime Administration and the U.S. Coast Guard seeking approval to build, own and operate a crude oil deepwater port import facility 30 miles off the coast of Texas in the Gulf of Mexico. On January 5, 2009, the application was deemed complete and four days later, on January 9, 2009, a Notice of Application was published in the Federal Register (74 FR 984).
On April 12, 2010, the applicant submitted a letter to the Maritime Administration to withdraw its application, due to its inability to secure necessary financing. The Maritime Administration, in a letter dated May 5, 2010, acknowledged Texas Offshore Port System’s withdrawal and thereafter terminated the application and all processing activities. This project remains closed with the Maritime Administration.
Disapproved Applications
Cabrillo Port (BHP Billiton LNG International)
Deepwater Port Type: LNG Import Facility (Average throughput capacity: 600 to 900 million standard cubic feet per day; Peak throughput capacity: 1.50 billion standard cubic feet per day)
On September 3, 2003, Cabrillo Port filed an application for a proposed LNG gravity based structure site to be located 14 miles off the coast of Ventura County, California. The initial application was determined to be complete on January 27, 2004.
By letter dated May 18, 2007, the Governor of California indicated his disapproval of the project, citing concerns that the project as proposed would result in significant and unmitigated environmental impacts to air quality and marine life. Consequently, a Record of Decision disapproving the project was issued on June 5, 2007, by the Maritime Administration. The Cabrillo Port project remains closed with the Maritime Administration.
Port Ambrose (Liberty Natural Gas LLC)
Deepwater Port Type: LNG Import Facility (Average throughput capacity: 1.20 billion standard cubic feet per day; Peak throughput capacity: 2.25 billion standard cubic feet per day)
On September 28, 2012, the Maritime Administration received an application from Liberty Natural Gas, LLC for the proposed Port Ambrose deepwater port. Port Ambrose would consist of two Submerged Turret Loading Buoys in Federal waters approximately 17 nautical miles southeast of Jones Beach, New York, approximately 24 nautical miles east of Long Branch, New Jersey and about 27 nautical miles from the entrance to New York Harbor.
By letter dated November 12, 2015, the Governor of New York indicated his disapproval of the import project, citing concerns that the project as proposed would result in risks to New York's security and economy while impacting a potential renewable energy project. On November 18, 2015, Liberty notified Maritime Administration by letter of the withdrawal of its Port Ambrose Deepwater Port License application. As a result of the withdrawal, the Federal review process was terminated, effective November 18, 2015 and a Notice of Termination of Federal Review was placed in the Federal Register on December 24, 2015 (80 FR 80454). To date, the project remains closed with the Maritime Administration.