Construction Begins on 44.4 BCF Natural Gas Storage Facility by Black Bayou in Louisiana

Black Bayou Gas Storage Facility Construction Launches in Louisiana

On November 11, 2026, Black Bayou Gas Storage, LLC officially commenced construction on its expansive natural gas storage facility located in Cameron Parish, Louisiana. This significant milestone comes after the company secured a Limited Notice to Proceed from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on October 20, 2026.

Located on a sprawling 2,500-acre site, the storage project will leverage the Black Bayou salt dome, which is wholly owned by Black Bayou. The first phase of the project will feature the development of four large caverns, providing a substantial FERC-certified working gas capacity of 44.4 billion cubic feet (Bcf). This facility will be interconnected to 13 interstate pipelines through a dual-header pipeline system, allowing it to manage up to 1.6 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) for injection and an impressive 2.0 Bcf/d for withdrawal.

The primary aim of this facility is to offer robust, multi-cycle storage solutions, along with balancing, wheeling, and blending services that ensure safety and reliability to meet the rising demands of energy markets across the Gulf Coast. The facility will cater to various clients, including local distribution companies, LNG export terminals, power producers, and natural gas marketers. Initial operations are projected to commence by late 2028, marking a critical addition to the region's energy infrastructure.

Tad Lalande, the CEO of Black Bayou Energy Hub, expressed his enthusiasm saying, “With our FERC approvals in hand, we have moved from planning to building. Construction is now underway in Cameron Parish, and we expect our first caverns in service in 2028. Black Bayou controls the entire dome; we hold our FERC certificate, and we are now building the Gulf Coast storage capacity our customers have been asking for. It's an exciting time for us.”

The project is not only set to enhance the region's energy capabilities but also deliver economic benefits. It is anticipated to generate 23 direct new jobs along with 35 indirect jobs, totaling 58 potential employment opportunities in the region. Moreover, at its peak, the project is expected to support over 1,000 jobs in the construction sector.

Daniel James, Senior Vice President of Development at Black Bayou, noted the significance of this phase, stating, “Beginning construction is an important milestone for Black Bayou and reflects years of planning, engineering, and coordination across the project team. Our focus now is on executing the work safely and efficiently while building reliable, flexible infrastructure that will serve our customers and the Gulf Coast energy market for decades to come.”

As construction progresses, Black Bayou is committed to collaborating closely with local partners, contractors, and communities to ensure the project not only meets logistical goals but also positively impacts the surrounding areas.

About Black Bayou Energy Hub

Headquartered in Lafayette, Louisiana, Black Bayou Energy Hub is developing a series of natural gas storage solutions and additional infrastructure in and around the Black Bayou salt dome, specifically within Cameron and Calcasieu Parishes. The company holds a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, confirming its regulatory compliance for operations.

For further information about the project and its developments, visit Black Bayou Energy Hub. This release contains forward-looking statements, with actual results potentially diverging from those expressed herein.