Mexico grants maritime area in Sonora to Amigo LNG for gas exports

The Mexican federal government, through the Secretariat of the Navy (Semar), has granted 36 hectares of maritime surface in Bahía Catalina, near Guaymas, Sonora, to Amigo LNG. This company is a joint venture between the U.S.-based Epcilon LNG and Singapore-based LNG Alliance.

The project aims to construct a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal to export gas from Texas to Asian markets. The estimated investment is approximately $6.8 billion. The contract, signed in April 2025 by the National Port System Administration (Asipona) Guaymas, was awarded through a direct adjudication process without a public tender.

The agreement spans 18 years, with an option for extension. Financial terms include annual payments of 12 percent of the area's value and 10 pesos per ton of gas processed. The terminal is expected to handle significant volumes, with some estimates suggesting up to 7.8 million tons annually and the transit of numerous large LNG carriers through the Gulf of California.

The project faces opposition from environmental groups, such as Defensa Ambiental del Noroeste, who warn of potential impacts on the biodiversity of the Gulf of California, a recognized World Natural Heritage site. Additionally, a federal judge recently granted a definitive suspension regarding the environmental impact authorization, temporarily halting works while judicial processes continue.