COAST GUARD, MARAD REVIEW LNG TERMINAL APPLICATION

COAST GUARD, MARAD REVIEW LNG TERMINAL APPLICATION    The U.S. Coast Guard and Maritime Administration will review an
application for the construction of a liquefied natural gas facility in the
Gulf of Mexico.
   The proposed terminal would be constructed by Houston-based Port Pelican
LLC. It would be located about 36 miles offshore south of Fresh Water City,
La.
   If approved, the Port Pelican Project will deliver natural gas to the
U.S. Gulf Coast using existing gas supply and gathering systems in the Gulf
of Mexico and southern Louisiana. According to the Port Pelican application,
the terminal will be able to receive the largest LNG carriers in service or
on order in 2002.
   Under the 1974 Deepwater Port Act, the Coast Guard and MarAd must approve
the licensing of offshore deepwater port facilities.
   “Any public hearing held in connection with this application must be held
not later than August 25, 2003,” the agencies said. “The application will be
approved or denied within 90 days after the last public hearing held on the
application.”