U.S. liquefied natural gas producer NextDecade has noted it looks forward to its first LNG from Texas Rio Grande LNG Train 1 in 2027. The firm expects its first production from its liquefaction plant known as train at its Rio Grande facility. Commercial activity ⁠in the LNG sector in the U.S., world’s largest exporter of LNG, has been increasing rapidly. Moreover, the company said it was evaluating multiple areas ‌on ⁠the site for the development of Trains 7 and 8.

It also expects to advance the development of these trains throughout 2026. “There is ⁠sufficient space at the Rio Grande LNG Facility site for up to 10 liquefaction trains,” the ⁠company said in a statement. As of January 2026, project completion for Trains 1 and ⁠2 at the Rio Grande LNG Facility had reached 64.5%, it said.

The total proposed Rio Grande project includes five 5.4-MTPA liquefaction trains capable of turning about 3.6 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas into about 27 MTPA of LNG.  Other LNG projects taking shape across Texas include the Coastal Bend LNG project. 

Scope on the Rio Grande LNG Train 1

The Rio Grande LNG Train 1 is part of NextDecade’s advancements to cope with worldwide spike in total demand for natural gas. The LNG facility in Brownsville is one that will see major expansions in the expectations of further growth in LNG demand. One of the factors driving this is the slowdown in clean energy spending because of global price volatility and political upheavals in certain regions.

Political dynamics mostly propagated by President Trump have seen renewable energy such as wind energy face significant setbacks. On the other hand natural gas facilities such as the planned U.S.-Japan natural gas facility in Ohio have taken flight.

The firm noted it seeks to “secure, economically attractive, and sustainable energy solutions through the safe and efficient development and operation” of liquefaction and carbon capture and storage (CCS) infrastructure. Moreover, it aims to support the Rio Grande Valley community by creating thousands of jobs. It also aims to invest millions into the local supply chain and regularly engaging with residents and stakeholders.

 

Project Factsheet

Type: Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) liquefaction facility

Primary Output: LNG production from Train 1 beginning 2027

Capacity (Overall Facility):

• Up to 27 MTPA across multiple liquefaction trains
• Each train approx. 5.4 MTPA
• Current Progress: Trains 1 & 2 ~64.5% complete (as of Jan 2026)

Expansion Plans:

• Evaluation of Trains 7 and 8 through 2026
• Site space for up to 10 liquefaction trains

Key Project Objectives:

• Increase U.S. LNG export capacity
• Meet rising global natural gas demand
• Provide long-term energy supply security

Economic Impact:

• Thousands of jobs expected in Rio Grande Valley
• Investment into local supply chain and services

Technology Scope:

• LNG liquefaction infrastructure
• Carbon capture and storage (CCS) integration planned

Project Partners and Roles

• NextDecade – Project developer, owner, and operator; responsible for financing, construction oversight, and long-term LNG production and exports.