US to export shale gas to India

Will do so despite not having Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India.

The US last week granted conditional authorization to export its produced liquefied natural gas (LNG) to India and other nations that do not have a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with it.

The Department of Energy announced it has conditionally authorized
Freeport LNG Expansion, LP and FLNG Liquefaction, LLC (Freeport) to export domestically produced LNG to non-FTA countries from Freeport Terminal on Quintana Island in Texas.

The decision paves the way for India to get its companies seek similar licenses for import of much needed gas from the United States in large quantities from other terminals.

Existing federal law generally requires approval of natural gas exports to countries that have an FTA with the United States. For countries that do not have an FTA with the United States, the Natural Gas Act directs the Department of Energy to grant export authorizations.

The Department of Energy said the proposed exports are likely to yield net economic benefits to the United States.