Coastal Bend LNG Selects KBR and Técnicas Reunidas to Advance Low-Carbon LNG Export Project on the Texas Gulf Coast
Coastal Bend LNG has taken a major step forward in the development of its planned natural gas liquefaction and export facility along the Texas Gulf Coast, announcing the selection of KBR, Inc. and Técnicas Reunidas to carry out the project’s front-end engineering and design (FEED). The decision marks a significant milestone for the project as it moves toward a potential final investment decision (FID) and positions the facility to play a role in supplying cost-competitive, lower-carbon liquefied natural gas (LNG) to global markets.
Under the scope of the agreement, KBR and Técnicas Reunidas will jointly execute the FEED phase for the proposed LNG terminal. Subject to a positive FID, the two engineering leaders are expected to progress into the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) phase, overseeing the delivery of the full-scale liquefaction and export infrastructure. The project is designed to include multiple large-scale liquefaction trains and will utilize ConocoPhillips’ Optimized Cascade® Process (OCP), a proven LNG technology known for its efficiency, reliability, and operational flexibility.
The Coastal Bend LNG facility is being developed with a strong emphasis on economic competitiveness and environmental performance. As global LNG demand continues to grow—driven by energy security concerns, coal-to-gas switching, and expanding consumption in Asia and Europe—developers are increasingly focused on reducing lifecycle emissions associated with LNG production. Coastal Bend LNG aims to address these market expectations by integrating advanced process design and decarbonization strategies from the earliest stages of project development.
According to Coastal Bend LNG, the FEED will focus on optimizing plant layout, energy efficiency, and emissions performance while ensuring scalability and cost discipline. The use of the Optimized Cascade® Process is expected to support these objectives by enabling efficient liquefaction across varying feed gas compositions and operating conditions, which is particularly important for large export facilities designed to operate continuously over decades.
Nick Flores, Chief Executive Officer of Coastal Bend LNG, emphasized the strategic importance of partnering with KBR and Técnicas Reunidas, noting their combined experience in LNG, large-scale infrastructure delivery, and industrial decarbonization. He highlighted that the collaboration aligns closely with Coastal Bend LNG’s mission to deliver lower-carbon energy solutions to international markets.
Flores stated that the collective expertise of KBR, Técnicas Reunidas, and ConocoPhillips provides a strong foundation for achieving both economic and environmental goals. He underscored that maximizing efficiency while minimizing carbon intensity is central to the project’s value proposition, particularly as LNG buyers increasingly evaluate suppliers based not only on price and reliability, but also on emissions performance.
KBR brings more than five decades of experience in LNG technology, engineering, and project execution, with a long-standing presence along the U.S. Gulf Coast. The company has been involved in numerous LNG liquefaction and export projects worldwide, contributing proprietary technologies and engineering solutions that support energy efficiency and scalability. Its role in the Coastal Bend LNG project reinforces KBR’s position as a key player in the development of next-generation LNG infrastructure.
Jay Ibrahim, President of Sustainable Technology Solutions at KBR, said the company is proud to support Coastal Bend LNG in shaping how LNG is produced and delivered from the Texas Gulf Coast. He noted that the award reflects KBR’s leadership in designing energy infrastructure capable of meeting rising global demand while addressing sustainability expectations. Ibrahim also highlighted the strategic importance of the Gulf Coast as a hub for LNG exports, supported by established supply chains, skilled labor, and access to abundant natural gas resources.
Técnicas Reunidas, headquartered in Spain, is a global engineering and construction firm with extensive experience in energy projects, including LNG, hydrogen, refining, and petrochemicals. The company has increasingly focused on decarbonization solutions, integrating emissions-reduction technologies into conventional energy infrastructure. Its involvement in the Coastal Bend LNG project reflects a broader industry trend toward embedding sustainability considerations into large-scale fossil energy developments.
Arthur Crossley, Deputy CEO and Chief Commercial Officer of Técnicas Reunidas, said the project demonstrates how collaboration between developers, engineering contractors, and technology providers can deliver lower-carbon LNG solutions. He emphasized that applying decarbonization innovations during the design phase is critical to meeting the evolving requirements of LNG end-markets, particularly in regions with stringent environmental standards and corporate emissions targets.
The selection of KBR and Técnicas Reunidas comes at a time when LNG developers face growing scrutiny from investors, regulators, and customers regarding greenhouse gas emissions. Many buyers are seeking long-term LNG supply contracts that align with net-zero commitments, driving demand for facilities that incorporate electrification, energy efficiency improvements, and potential carbon capture readiness. Coastal Bend LNG’s focus on low-carbon production positions it to compete in this evolving market landscape.
Located along the Texas Gulf Coast, the proposed facility is strategically positioned to leverage proximity to prolific U.S. natural gas basins, existing pipeline infrastructure, and deepwater export channels. These advantages support competitive feed gas sourcing and efficient access to international shipping routes, particularly to Europe and Asia. The project is expected to contribute to regional economic development through job creation, capital investment, and increased export activity.
As the FEED phase progresses, Coastal Bend LNG will refine cost estimates, project schedules, and technical specifications, all of which are critical inputs for a final investment decision. A positive FID would pave the way for full EPC execution and eventual construction, moving the project closer to commercial operations.
With the selection of KBR and Técnicas Reunidas, Coastal Bend LNG signals its intent to advance a modern LNG export facility that balances economic performance with environmental responsibility. If successful, the project could serve as a model for future LNG developments seeking to remain competitive in a carbon-conscious global energy market.
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