A Magnolia LNG official told Calcasieu Parish police jurors Thursday about the company’s proposed project, which is expected to create 1,000 construction jobs and 45 permanent jobs on completion.

Ernie Megginson, Magnolia’s vice president of project management, said the liquefied natural gas facility will sit on 110 acres along the industrial canal. He said the project is also expected to generate 175 indirect jobs.

Megginson said Magnolia LNG is in the middle of a two-year Federal Energy Regulatory Commission pre-filing period. That should end around mid-2015, after which construction will begin. Work should wrap up by late 2017 or early 2018, he said.

Earlier this month, the company signed a 20-year agreement with Brightshore Overseas Ltd., an affiliate of an international commodity trading company known as the Gunvor Group. Under the agreement, Brightshore will purchase the output from the first LNG train, he said.

“In other words, we signed up a customer to our project,” Megginson said.

He said Magnolia LNG has received a license from the U.S. Department of Energy to export liquefied natural gas to “free trade” countries, including South Korea, Australia and Singapore.

Police Jury President Shannon Spell said the panel is “very excited about the project.”

“It’s going to bring growth and jobs and move our economy forward here,” he said.

District 14 Police Juror Hal McMillin said the panel is looking forward to the project getting underway.

“All of Southwest Louisiana is going to be welcoming you with open arms,” he said. “Thanks for investing in our community.”

Magnolia LNG is owned by Liquefied Natural Gas Ltd. of Perth, Australia.

Online: www.magnolialng.com.

(American Press Archives)

(Rick Hickman / American Press)