Baker Hughes has secured a contract to supply three main refrigerant compressors (MRCs) for NextDecade’s Rio Grande liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in the Port of Brownsville, Texas.

The contract has been awarded by Bechtel Energy, the engineering, procurement, and construction contractor for the first phase of the Rio Grande LNG project.

With nameplate production capacity of approximately 17.61 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of LNG, the project involves three liquefication trains, two 180,000m³ storage tanks and two marine berths.

Under the contract, Baker Hughes will supply six Frame 7 gas turbines combined with 18 centrifugal compressors for the first three LNG trains of the Rio Grande project.

Baker Hughes industrial and energy technology executive vice-president Ganesh Ramaswamy said: “This order builds on our long-standing relationship with Bechtel and is a significant milestone in our partnership with NextDecade, supporting them on this key LNG project.

“We are delighted that our proven and reliable technology solution will support the production of LNG in the US, which is crucial in balancing energy affordability, security and sustainability globally.”

Baker Hughes said that its gas technology solution will enable the highest production levels for the Rio Grande LNG plant’s design, as well as operational flexibility.

The company plans to undertake packaging of the turbine/compressor train as well as assembly of the compressors and testing of the trains at its facilities in Italy.

At full capacity, the Rio Grande LNG project is expected to produce 27mtpa of LNG.