Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry announced the state’s fourth multi-billion economic development project in five months Tuesday after Woodside Energy confirmed its final decision to build a $17.5 billion liquefied natural gas production and export facility in Calcasieu Parish near Lake Charles.
State officials said the Woodside project is the largest foreign investment in Louisiana history. Landry said it solidifies the state as the epicenter of LNG with four other plants already operating.
Woodside’s project follow the April announcement of CF Industries’ $4.2 billion low-carbon ammonia plant in Ascension Parish, the March announcement of the $5.8 billion Hyundai steel plant in Ascension Parish and the December announcement of Meta’s $10 billion AI data center in Richland Parish.
“You’re seeing economic development in all four corners of the state,” Landry has said.
Woodside’s project will create 400 permanent jobs and 6,500 construction jobs, officials said, and will contribute to $50 billion in new major investments that will be underway by summer, Landry said.
Meg O’Neill, Woodside’s chief executive, called the project a “game-changer” for her company.
Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.
