BG Group signs long-term US LNG purchase agreement

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BG Group announced today that its US-based subsidiary, BG Gulf Coast LNG, LLC, has signed a fully-termed sale and purchase agreement with Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC, a subsidiary of Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P., for the purchase of 3.5 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of liquefied natural gas (LNG) over a 20-year period from the Sabine Pass LNG terminal located in Louisiana, USA.

The agreement, which is subject to certain conditions and approvals, is the first long-term LNG purchase agreement from a project on the US Gulf Coast, allowing BG Group to secure LNG volumes for export from the US to international gas markets. LNG exports are expected to commence as early as 2015.

Construction of the liquefaction facilities at Sabine Pass is expected to commence in 2012, with the initial phase to consist of 2 trains capable of producing 9 mtpa of LNG. BG Group is not an investor in the proposed liquefaction facilities.

Martin Houston, BG Group Executive Director and Executive Vice President & Managing Director, Americas & Global LNG, said: “This agreement gives BG Group an early entrance to the US gas export market. Exports have become and are expected to remain economically attractive due to increases in the North American gas supply base resulting from, among other things, existing and future development of abundant shale gas reserves. We believe this agreement supports the global growth of our LNG business and diversifies our LNG supply portfolio, while creating domestic jobs and other significant economic benefits in the US and in particular the state of Louisiana.”

BG Group is continuing to pursue an expansion of the Lake Charles LNG terminal, located in Louisiana, USA, to provide natural gas liquefaction services. Authorization has been received from the DOE to export up to 730 Bcf of natural gas per year (approximately 15 mtpa) from the Lake Charles LNG terminal to countries that have a free trade agreement in place with the US. The DOE is currently reviewing an application to export natural gas from the Lake Charles LNG terminal to countries that do not have a free trade agreement with the US.

Notes to Editors:

BG Group plc (LSE: BG.L) is a world leader in natural gas, with a strategy focused on connecting competitively priced resources to specific, high-value markets. Active in more than 25 countries on five continents, BG Group has a broad portfolio of exploration and production, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and transmission and distribution business interests. It combines a deep understanding of gas markets with a proven track record in finding and commercialising reserves. For further information visit: www.bg-group.com

Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. (NYSE: CQP) is a Delaware master limited partnership that owns 100 percent of the Sabine Pass LNG terminal located in western Cameron Parish, Louisiana, USA on the Sabine Pass Channel. The terminal has sendout capacity of 4.0 Bcf/d and storage capacity of 16.9 Bcfe. The US Department of Energy has authorized exports from the Sabine Pass LNG terminal of up to 803 billion cubic feet of natural gas per year (approximately 16 mtpa).

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There are matters set out within this announcement that are forward-looking statements. Such statements are only predictions, and actual events or results may differ materially. For a discussion of important factors which could cause actual results to differ from these forward-looking statements, refer to BG Group’s Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2010. BG Group does not undertake any obligation to update publicly, or revise, forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent legally required.