New Fortress Altamira LNG Terminal
| Part of the Global Gas Infrastructure Tracker, a Global Energy Monitor project. |
New Fortress Altamira LNG Terminal, also known as Altamira Fast LNG, Altamira Offshore LNG Hub, and Terminal de Exportación de GNL New Fortress Altamira, is an LNG export terminal in Mexico with units that are proposed, operating, in construction, and shelved (confirmed).
Location
Table 1: Location details
| Name | Location | Coordinates (WGS 84) |
|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 | Offshore Altamira, Tamaulipas, Mexico[1] | 22.6543, -97.68048 (exact) |
| Unit 2 | Altamira, Tamaulipas, Mexico[2] | 22.494775, -97.89468 (exact) |
| Unit 3 | Altamira, Tamaulipas, Mexico[2] | 22.494775, -97.89468 (exact) |
| Unit 4 | Altamira, Tamaulipas, Mexico[3] | 22.494775, -97.89468 (exact) |
| Unit 5 | Altamira, Tamaulipas, Mexico[3] | 22.494775, -97.89468 (exact) |
The map below shows the exact location of the terminal:
Project Details
Table 2: Infrastructure details
| Name | Facility type | Status | Capacity | Total terminal capacity | Offshore | Associated infrastructure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 | export[4] | operating[5] | 1.4 mtpa | 7.0 mtpa | True | – |
| Unit 2 | export[4] | construction[6] | 1.4 mtpa | 7.0 mtpa | True | – |
| Unit 3 | export[4] | proposed[7] | 1.4 mtpa | 7.0 mtpa | True | – |
| Unit 4 | export[4] | shelved (confirmed)[2][3] | 1.4 mtpa | 7.0 mtpa | True | – |
| Unit 5 | export[4] | shelved (confirmed)[8][3] | 1.4 mtpa | 7.0 mtpa | True | – |
Table 3: Cost
| Name | Facility type | Cost | Total known terminal costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 | export[4] | US$433,333,333 | US$1,566,666,666 |
| Unit 2 | export[4] | US$700,000,000 | US$1,566,666,666 |
| Unit 3 | export[4] | US$433,333,333 | US$1,566,666,666 |
| Unit 4 | export[4] | – | US$1,566,666,666 |
| Unit 5 | export[4] | – | US$1,566,666,666 |
Financing
No financing data available.
Table 4: Project timeline
| Name | Facility type | Status | Proposal year | FID year | Construction year | Operating year | Inactive year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 | export[4] | operating[5] | 2022[7] | –[9] | 2022[10] | 2024[5] | – |
| Unit 2 | export[4] | construction[6] | 2022[7] | –[11] | 2025[6] | 2027[12][13][14][15][16][6] | – |
| Unit 3 | export[4] | proposed[7] | 2022[7] | – | – | – | – |
| Unit 4 | export[4] | shelved (confirmed)[2][3] | 2023[3] | – | – | – | 2025 (shelved)[2][3] |
| Unit 5 | export[4] | shelved (confirmed)[8][3] | 2023[3] | – | – | – | 2025 (shelved)[8][3] |
Ownership
Table 5: Ownership
| Name | Facility type | Status | Owners | Parent companies | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 | export[4] | operating[5] | New Fortress Energy Inc [100%][4] | New Fortress Energy Inc [100.0%] | New Fortress Energy[6][2] |
| Unit 2 | export[4] | construction[6] | New Fortress Energy Inc [100%][4] | New Fortress Energy Inc [100.0%] | New Fortress Energy[6][2] |
| Unit 3 | export[4] | proposed[7] | New Fortress Energy Inc [100%][4] | New Fortress Energy Inc [100.0%] | New Fortress Energy[6][2] |
| Unit 4 | export[4] | shelved (confirmed)[2][3] | New Fortress Energy Inc [100%][4] | New Fortress Energy Inc [100.0%] | New Fortress Energy[6][2] |
| Unit 5 | export[4] | shelved (confirmed)[8][3] | New Fortress Energy Inc [100%][4] | New Fortress Energy Inc [100.0%] | New Fortress Energy[6][2] |
Background
In July 2022, New Fortress Energy (NFE) announced an agreement with Mexico's Comision Federal de Electricidad (CFE) to collaborate on several gas developments, including New Fortress' deployment of a floating LNG (FLNG) hub offshore Altamira, with feedgas to be supplied from CFE's existing pipeline capacity.[17][18] New Fortress stated that it would deploy two or more FLNG units within the hub, each with a capacity of 1.4 mtpa.[17][18] New Fortress planned to deploy its "fast LNG” design, incorporating modular, midsize liquefaction technology with jack up rigs or similar offshore infrastructure.[17]
The fossil gas for the project was to be sourced from Texas and transported to Mexico via the Valley Crossing and Sur de Texas-Tuxpan pipelines.[19] In its February 2023 Form 10-K filing with the SEC, NFE confirmed that it had reached preliminary agreements with Mexico's CFE (Comisión Federal de Electricidad) allowing it to obtain feedgas volumes from the Sur de Texas-Tuxpan Pipeline, paving the way for the company to deploy the first of its two proposed 1.4 mtpa FLNG units in 2023.[20]
In June 2023, NFE announced that Mexico's Energy Ministry (SENER) had issued a permit allowing the company to export up to 7.8 million metric tons of LNG through the Altamira terminal by April 2028.[21] Construction of the terminal's initial offshore unit was said to be 90% complete[21], with NFE expecting to begin commercial operations in the third quarter of 2023.[21] The company had previously received authorization from the US Department of Energy to export US-sourced gas via pipeline to the Altamira Terminal, and to re-export LNG produced at the Altamira Terminal to Mexico and other FTA countries through December 31, 2050.[21][22]
In July 2023, NFE received authorization from Mexico's CFE to transport gas by pipeline to the project.[23]
As of August 2023, the first unit was expected to be launched in September and receive its first commercial cargo in October.[24] The same month, New Fortress said the second and third units were under construction and expected to begin operations in 2025.[25]
Commissioning and development of Train 1
In January 2024, Oil & Gas Journal reported that gas was "first achieved" for the first train in November 2023.[26] However, other sources — including project owner New Fortress Energy — confirmed that first gas was not achieved until July 2024.[27][28]
Commissioning and an initial shipment of LNG from the first train both took place in early August 2024, with full production expected later the same month, so August 2024 was considered to be the start of commercial operations.[29]
In September 2024, New Fortress reported that the terminal's first full production cargo had been sold and delivered to a third party customer in Europe.[30]
In October 2024, New Fortress announced that a third shipment from the Altamira Fast LNG facility had been shipped to NFE's San Juan LNG Terminal in Puerto Rico.[31]
As of January 2025, Train 1 had reportedly shipped nine cargoes and was producing above nameplate capacity.[32]
NFE's Form 10-Q for Q1 2026 stated that the company was in the process of increasing available liquefaction capacity at Train 1 (referred to as FLNG 1) through optimization projects.[33] However, there has been no subsequent confirmation of a capacity upgrade.
Export authorization to non-FTE countries
In September 2024, the US Dept of Energy authorized NFE to export LNG from train 1 of the Altamira terminal to non-FTA countries, in addition to the FTA countries previously approved. Export authorization for all countries was granted through December 2050.[28][19] This represented the first LNG export permit granted by the DOE since the Biden administration paused such approvals in January 2024.[34][35]
Development of Trains 2 and 3
As of May 2023, NFE was reportedly planning to supplement the initial offshore production unit with two additional units to be constructed adjacent to the underutilized onshore Altamira LNG Import Terminal. Reuters reported that Units 2 and 3 were already under construction, with installation scheduled for August and September 2024, respectively.[36] However, a subsequent report from ICIS (Independent Commodity Intelligence Services) indicated that development of Units 2 and 3 remained contingent on bilateral negotiations.[37]
In October 2023, the US Dept of Energy (DOE) contacted New Fortress Energy seeking clarification regarding location of future infrastructure. In an October 2023 report filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), New Fortress Energy stated that Train 2 of the Altamira LNG export facility would be based onshore, directly contradicting NFE's earlier description of Altamira 2 as an offshore facility in the company's original application to the DOE. In its letter, DOE noted that any such change in location would be considered a material change requiring NFE to amend its application and officially request an amended FTA order.[38]
New Fortress Energy's Form 10-K filing with the SEC for FY2023 stated that NFE had entered into a non-binding MOU with CFE to develop and operate an onshore liquefied natural gas terminal with up to four additional 1.4 MTPA FLNG units, as opposed to the two additional units previously announced; the new units would be located on the site of the existing Altamira LNG import terminal.[39] In July 2024, NFE confirmed that it had obtained a $700 million loan to finance Train 2 at the onshore Altamira LNG Terminal, and affirmed its plans to complete construction of the new unit in the first half of 2026.[40][41]
In March 2025, New Fortress Energy released its Q4 2024 Investor Presentation, which showed a delayed timeline for development of Train 2. According to the presentation, construction of Train 2 was now expected to begin in the third quarter of 2025, with mechanical completion anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2026, and commercial operation to begin in the first half of 2027.[42] The presentation made no specific mention of Train 3.
Shelving of Trains 4 and 5
New Fortress Energy's 2024 Form 10-K, submitted in March 2025, indicated that the company had scaled back its LNG export plans; p 63 of the 10-K form stated that New Fortress would now only deploy "up to two" additional 1.4 mtpa export units at the existing Altamira LNG Import Terminal[43], as opposed to the "up to four" previously announced.[39] As a result, Trains 4 and 5 of New Fortress's Altamira export project were presumed to be shelved.
Stalled development of Train 2 and presumed shelving of Train 3
In September 2025, Mexico's energy regulatory authority CNE rejected New Fortress Energy's application for a marketing permit for the company's onshore facility at Altamira[44], and in December 2025, CNE denied a pipeline transport permit for the facility[45], dealing a serious blow to the project's prospects.
As of early 2026, financially troubled NFE was seeking a partner to invest in completing the second phase of the project. In its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, NFE stated that it was "exploring opportunities to sell and complete development of our second FLNG facility;" NFE estimated that completion of the FLNG 2 project would take roughly 24 months following the engagement of a new partner, implying a start date no earlier than 2028.[33] The company did not proactively address Train 2 in its April 8, 2026 earnings call with investors, and the call transcript indicated the project remained stalled, with executives noting that "there hasn't been much development over the last... 60 days on FLNG number 2... still under construction in the Kiewit yard."[46]
Prospects for development of Train 3 appeared to be even weaker. NFE's Q3 2025 Form 10-Q was the last document to explicitly imply that Train 3 remained an active project, noting that "we are considering a plan to deploy up to two 1.4MTPA additional FLNG units onshore at the existing Altamira LNG import facility."[47] However, this language has disappeared from subsequent SEC filings. In the absence of further news, Train 3 was presumed to be shelved as of August 2026.
Opposition
Numerous citizens' groups in Mexico, including Greenpeace, Nuestro Futuro, Alianza Mexicana Contra el Fracking, Conexiones Climáticas and Planeteando have called for the government to cancel all pending LNG export terminal projects in the country. The groups argue that LNG terminals create a host of serious negative impacts for local communities, including health effects from toxic chemicals such as benzine and nitrogen oxides, climate change associated with heightened levels of greenhouse gas emissions, devastation of marine life due to dredging, and the associated negative economic impacts on fisheries.[48]
Articles and Resources
Additional data
To access additional data, including an interactive map of LNG terminals, a downloadable dataset, and summary data, please visit the Global Gas Infrastructure Tracker on the Global Energy Monitor website.
References
- ↑ https://www.eleconomista.com.mx/empresas/Mexico-comenzara-exportacion-de-gas-natural-licuado-en-el-2025-20230725-0117.html.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 (PDF) https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1749723/000174972325000042/nfe-20241231x10k.pdf.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1749723/000174972324000011/nfe-20231231.htm.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 4.14 4.15 4.16 4.17 4.18 4.19 4.20 4.21 4.22 4.23 4.24 https://web.archive.org/web/20230327231208/https://lngprime.com/americas/nfe-inks-deals-to-install-floating-lng-producers-off-mexico/56280/. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 https://ir.newfortressenergy.com/news-releases/news-release-details/new-fortress-energy-provides-update-its-initial-flng-asset.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 https://ir.newfortressenergy.com/static-files/f4a8637f-8b9b-40d2-b528-da96b1ed83e0.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 https://ir.newfortressenergy.com/news-releases/news-release-details/nfe-announces-agreement-cfe-expand-supply-natural-gas-baja-build.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1749723/000174972325000029/nfe-20241231.htm.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ https://ir.newfortressenergy.com/news-releases/news-release-details/new-fortress-energy-receives-mexico-export-authorization.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ https://ir.newfortressenergy.com/static-files/c2ba367b-a764-499d-b4b6-83bd4de9a322.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ https://www.icis.com/explore/resources/news/2023/06/02/10892733/lng-developers-in-mexico-face-long-road-ahead/.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ https://www.igu.org/igu-reports/2025-world-lng-report?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22570706637&gbraid=0AAAAA9kOlQjyt6hUkZGX_RurEkcHXmNXD&gclid=CjwKCAjwi-DBBhA5EiwAXOHsGaWVYYsRaJy3-JGSjWw0q0CXTzrVa1-hCgvxwPR541313mP7dAIk5RoCum0QAvD_BwE.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ https://finance.yahoo.com/news/fortress-start-operations-second-third-122009002.html?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/new-fortress-energy-could-install-fast-lng-units-onshore-altamira-mexico-2023-05-04/.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ https://ir.newfortressenergy.com/news-releases/news-release-details/new-fortress-energy-announces-closing-700-million-loan-second.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ https://ir.newfortressenergy.com/node/9136/html.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Staff, LNG Prime (2022-07-05). "NFE inks deals to install floating LNG producers off Mexico". LNG Prime. Retrieved 2022-07-07.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 "NFE Announces Agreement with CFE to Expand Supply of Natural Gas to Baja, Build Offshore LNG Hub Near Altamira". New Fortress Energy. July 5, 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ 19.0 19.1 "Order Granting Long-Term Authorization to Re-Export U.S.-Sourced Natural Gas in the Form of Liquefied Natural Gas from Mexico to Non-Free Trade Agreement Nations" (PDF). United States of America Department of Energy - Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management. 2024-08-31.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "New Fortress Energy Inc Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022". US Securities and Exchange Commission. February 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 "New Fortress Energy Receives Mexico Export Authorization For Altamira Fast LNG Project". New Fortress Energy. June 2, 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "NFE Altamira FLNG, S. de R.L. de C.V - Docket No. 22-110-LNG" (PDF). US Dept of Energy. March 3, 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "BNamericas - Mexico floating LNG project gets new boost". BNamericas.com. Retrieved 2023-10-05.
- ↑ LNG Prime Staff (2023-08-08). "NFE expects to launch Altamira FLNG project in September". LNG Prime. Retrieved 2023-10-05.
- ↑ "New Fortress to start operations of second, third Fast LNG units in 2025". Yahoo Finance. Retrieved 2023-10-05.
- ↑ "https://www.ogj.com/pipelines-transportation/lng/article/14304177/new-fortress-energy-receives-customs-ruling-for-altamira-flng-plant".
{{cite web}}: External link in|title= - ↑ "New Fortress Energy Achieves First LNG for its Fast LNG Asset". New Fortress Energy. 2024-07-19.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ 28.0 28.1 "New Fortress Energy receives authorization to export LNG to non-FTA countries". Reuters. 2024-09-03.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "New Fortress Energy Provides Update on its Initial FLNG Asset". New Fortress Energy. 2024-08-02.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Q3 2024 Investor Presentation". New Fortress Energy. November 7, 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "New Fortress Energy Provides Update on its Initial FLNG Asset". New Fortress Energy. 2024-10-25.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "NFE's Mexico LNG plant producing above capacity, company says". Livemint. 2025-01-29. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ 33.0 33.1 New Fortress Energy Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2026, US Securities & Exchange Commission, May 13, 2026.
- ↑ "NFE's Altamira LNG Granted First Natural Gas Export Permit Since Biden Administration Paused Approvals". Natural Gas Intelligence. 2024-09-04.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Biden administration approves natural gas exports after pause is halted". 2024-09-03.
{{cite web}}:|first=missing|last=(help)CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "New Fortress Energy could install Fast LNG units onshore at Altamira, Mexico". Reuters. May 4, 2023.
- ↑ De La Rosa, Claudia (June 2, 2023). "LNG developers in Mexico face long road ahead". ICIS.
- ↑ "RE: NFE Altamira FLNG, S. de R.L. de C.V. Docket No. 22-110-LNG: Request for Clarification of Project Site and Design" (PDF). Department of Energy. October 30, 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ 39.0 39.1 "New Fortress Energy Inc: Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 (p 60)". US Securities & Exchange Commission. 2024-02-29.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "New Fortress pushes first LNG delivery from Altamira project offshore Mexico to August". S&P Global. 2024-07-23.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "New Fortress Energy Announces Closing of $700 Million Loan for Second FLNG Unit". New Fortress Energy. 2024-07-23.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Q4 2024 Investor Presentation (pp 10-11)". New Fortress Energy. 2025-03-01.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "New Fortress Energy Inc: Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 (p 63)" (PDF). US Securities & Exchange Commission. 2025-03-10.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Permit denied: Another setback for NFE's LNG ambitions in Mexico". BNamericas. 2025-09-16.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "CNE Denies Pipeline Permit for LNG Plan in Altamira". Mexico Business News. 2025-12-02. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ New Fortress (NFE) Earnings Call Transcript, The Motley Fool, April 8, 2026.
- ↑ "New Fortress Energy Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2025". US Securities & Exchange Commission. 2025-11-20.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "El alto de EEUU a proyectos de Gas Natural Licuado evidencia que el plan de México para exportarlo es peligroso y debe ser cancelado". Greenpeace México. 2024-01-26.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
