Baker Hughes Secures Major Equipment Supply for NextDecade's Rio Grande LNG Train 4

Baker Hughes, an energy technology company, announced an award from engineering company Bechtel Energy (Bechtel) to supply main liquefaction equipment for Train 4 of NextDecade’s Rio Grande LNG Facility in the Port of Brownsville, Texas.

The award follows an earlier framework agreement for Baker Hughes’ gas turbine and refrigerant compressor technology and contractual services agreements for Trains 4 through 8. The Train 4 order includes two Frame 7 gas turbines, known for their proven reliability and energy efficiency, and six centrifugal compressors.

"Our selection of Baker Hughes again for the Rio Grande LNG project is a testament to its reliable technology and expertise," said Bhupesh Thakkar, Bechtel’s general manager for its LNG business. "Their equipment has consistently supported the successful development of this critical infrastructure, and we look forward to their continued contribution to the project expansion."

Rio Grand developer NextDecade is constructing the first three LNG trains at Brownsville, Texas, while Train 4 also is in the final investment decision stage.

Many off-takers of U.S. LNG include countries and overseas companies which are limited in energy-dense resources, and want to cut emissions compared to coal-fired power generation. Natural gas emits lower greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide than coal or fuel oil.

The U.S. is now the world’s largest exporter of LNG, which is natural gas chilled cold enough to liquify and make it compressed and stable enough for long-distance shipping. The historic production out of U.S. shale plays is making the LNG export capacity possible.