Sempra LNG’s Energía Costa Azul is the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) receipt terminal on North America’s West Coast. It is located about 15 miles north of Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico.
The $975 million terminal can process up to 1 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day. The project could be expanded to process 2.5 billion cubic feet per day. Construction began in January 2005 and commercial operations began in May 2008.
Energía Costa Azul has access to deep coastal waters, is far removed from residential areas, and it was developed in conjunction with state and local government land-use planning efforts.
Baja California is the primary market for Energía Costa Azul’s natural gas supplies. Natural gas not consumed in Mexico is exported to the Southwestern U.S. until demand in Baja California grows to the full level of the terminal’s capacity.
The natural gas processed by Energía Costa Azul is used by electricity-generating plants and other industries in Baja California. It is delivered via a 45-mile section of the Gasoducto Bajanorte pipeline, which connects the terminal with existing natural gas pipeline systems that span the northern border of Baja California and the United States border.
