HOUSTON  &  DALLAS --(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 17, 2015--  BG Group  (LSE: BG.L) and  Energy Transfer Equity , L.P. (NYSE: ETE) and  Energy Transfer Partners, L.P.  (NYSE: ETP) (collectively, “Energy Transfer”) today announced that the  Lake Charles LNG Project  has received approval from the  US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission  (FERC) to site, construct and operate a natural gas liquefaction and export facility in  Lake Charles, Louisiana . FERC approval was a key remaining regulatory consent for the  Lake Charles LNG Project .

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With a conditional authorization from the  US Department of Energy  to export up to 2 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day (or approximately 15 million metric tons of LNG per annum), the  Lake Charles LNG Project  is expected to be one of the largest LNG export initiatives in  the United States . The technology chosen for the project, which includes aero derivative turbines with selective catalytic reduction, is designed to make it one of the most efficient and cleanest operating LNG facilities in the world, with air emissions expected to be well below US and state limits.

“Our focus is on being a good neighbor in  Lake Charles , where we’ll be working in a collaborative manner with local communities to minimize the impacts from construction,” said  Jason Klein , General Manager for BG Group’s America Asset. “At the same time, we’re excited about our role in the economic expansion of  Southwest Louisiana . Lake Charles LNG has the potential to create several thousand jobs during construction and if fully operational could result in approximately 250 long-term operational positions – sustainable jobs for current and future generations.”

Final investment decisions from both  BG Group  and  Energy Transfer  are expected to be made in 2016, with construction to start immediately following a positive decision and first LNG exports anticipated about four years later.

Energy Transfer  owns the existing LNG regasification facility in  Lake Charles . By taking advantage of a brownfield site that includes LNG tanks and other existing infrastructure, as well as access to a highly developed and liquid gas market, the  Lake Charles LNG Project  has the capability to be one of the most competitive new supply sources for LNG and would significantly add to BG Group’s global LNG supply portfolio.

Energy Transfer , which will become the largest transporter of natural gas in  the United States  upon the close of the previously announced transaction with  The Williams Companies, Inc. , will provide pipeline transportation services on its  Trunkline Gas  pipeline system sufficient to supply Lake Charles LNG.

BG Group  is responsible for selecting the engineering, procurement and construction contractor and managing construction. Upon completion,  BG Group  would operate and be responsible for the LNG offtake from the facility.