TotalEnergies to hold 10% interest in Rio Grande LNG Train 4 project

Sept 10 (Reuters) - TotalEnergies TTEF.PA will take a 10% stake in a joint venture with liquefied natural gas producer NextDecade NEXT.O for a fourth liquefaction plant, known as a train, of the Rio Grande LNG project in Texas, it said on Wednesday.

LNG developers are benefiting from a more favourable regulatory environment thanks to US President Donald Trump's decision to lift a moratorium on new export permits.

On Tuesday, NextDecade reached a positive final investment decision on train 4, which is set to go live in 2030 and has an expected LNG production capacity of nearly 6 million tonnes per annum.

The Rio Grande export facility is expected to hit total capacity of about 24 mtpa.

"This project from which we will offtake 1.5 mtpa strengthens our LNG export capacity from the United States," said Stephane Michel, President of Gas, Renewables & Power at TotalEnergies.

Additionally, TotalEnergies will also indirectly hold nearly 7% in Train 4 as a 17.1% shareholder of NextDecade, the company said in a statement.

Train 4 will be financed with around 40% equity and 60% debt, according to TotalEnergies.