Proposed LNG
Storage Facility
Reliable and Safe Energy Supply Solution
Image is a conceptual rendering only

The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission on March 14, 2024 issued a final order not to approve New Mexico Gas Company’s proposal to build, own and operate a liquefied natural gas storage facility in Rio Rancho. NMGC is disappointed, having proposed the facility with the belief it would enhance the reliability of our system and help protect customers from spikes in the market price of natural gas. We appreciate the comments, feedback and support that the project has received.

Enhanced System Reliability.
Price Protection for Our Customers.
Every day, we strive to provide reliable and affordable energy solutions delivered with a passion for exceptional customer service, environmental responsibility, world-class safety, and support for the communities where we live and work.
New Mexico Gas Company proposes to build and operate a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) storage facility to enhance system reliability and help protect the nearly 1.3 million New Mexicans that we serve from future natural gas price spikes and potential supply disruptions.
If approved by our regulators, the proposed LNG storage facility will be located on 25 acres within a 160-acre property zoned for commercial development in Rio Rancho (north of Double Eagle II Airport).
New Mexico Gas Company proposes to build and operate a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) storage facility to enhance system reliability and help protect our nearly 1.3 million customers from future natural gas price spikes and potential supply disruptions.
If approved by our regulators, the proposed LNG storage facility will be located on 25 acres in the middle of a 160-acre property zoned for commercial development in Rio Rancho (north of Double Eagle II Airport).

About Our Proposed LNG Storage Facility

Hear Tom Bullard, NMGC VP of Engineering and Technical Services, discuss how our LNG project would benefit our customers by enhancing system reliability and offering protection from market swings in the price of natural gas.

Learn How A Liquefied Natural Gas Storage Facility Works

Explore how an LNG Storage Facility works in this animated journey.

*The above video is produced by Shell, not NMGC. This video is available on Shell’s official YouTube channel here.
What is LNG?
LNG is natural gas that has been cooled to a liquid, shrinking
its volume to make it 600 times smaller than the gaseous
form. This process is known as liquefaction. LNG is cooled to
minus-260 degrees Fahrenheit for safe storage or transport.
The process of warming the liquefied product to return it to
its gaseous state is called regasification or vaporization.
How Will The LNG
Facility Benefit Our Customers?
Company-owned, in-state storage provides
certainty about access to stored gas when
it’s needed most, especially on the coldest
winter days or during supply constraints.
What is the project timeline?

Phase 1

2021

Assessment of storage options

Phase 2

2022

Preliminary stakeholder engagement application to build, own and operate the LNG facility field with NMPRC

Phase 3

2023

Ongoing stakeholder engagement NMPRC process, including the
public hearing

Phase 4

2024

Decision on NMPRC process land acquisition engineering and procurement construction contracting permitting

Phase 5

2025

Construction to begin in 2025
and continue through 2026

Phase 6

2026

Project delivery, LNG storage facility
in service for 2026-2027 winter
heating season

Want to stay informed with the project updates?

Resources

The formal Notice to Customers, as required by the PRC, can be found here. For access to documents related to the Regulatory filing (NMPRC Case No. 22-00309-UT: LNG Storage Facility), click here. To read the news release, click here.
For access to the entire case, including filings from interested parties, please visit https:www.nm-prc.org/case-lookup-e-docket.You will be required to enter the case number, which is 22-00309-UT: LNG Storage Facility
For more information or to be added to our update list, please email lng@nmgco.com.

About Us

NEW MEXICO GAS COMPANY

As the largest natural gas distribution utility in the state, New Mexico Gas Company provides service to more than 540,000 homes and businesses and about 1.3 million people throughout New Mexico. The Company has more than 700 employees in 26 offices, who are responsible for safely and reliably operating 12,300 miles of pipelines across the state. New Mexico Gas Company is a subsidiary of Emera Inc. Our website is www.nmgco.com