*

NextDecade ( NEXT ) awaits supplemental environmental approval for

Train

4

*

TotalEnergies invests $300 million for 10% stake in Train

4

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TotalEnergies declines long-term contract for NextDecade's ( NEXT )

proposed Train 5

(Adds background and context at paragraphs 2, 5-7)

Aug 11 (Reuters) - U.S. liquefied natural gas developer

NextDecade ( NEXT ) will receive up to $1.8 billion in equity

commitments from TotalEnergies and Global

Infrastructure Partners to finance a fourth liquefaction plant

at its Rio Grande LNG export project in Texas, the company said

on Monday in a regulatory filing.

The move brings NextDecade ( NEXT ) one step closer to a positive

financial decision on that 5.4 million metric tons per annum

(mtpa) facility, also called Train 4.

The company is still awaiting a supplemental environmental

approval for its project, even though federal regulators have

completed the final environmental impact statement and last week

recommended the project be allowed to proceed.

TotalEnergies will contribute about $300 million for a 10%

stake in the Train 4 joint venture, while a GIP affiliate will

invest up to $1.5 billion for a 50% interest, which will fall to

30% once certain return thresholds are met, NextDecade ( NEXT ) said.

NextDecade ( NEXT ), through its subsidiaries, will provide up to

$1.2 billion for a 40% interest, which could rise to 60% after

GIP reaches agreed returns, according to the filing.

TotalEnergies has a long-term agreement with NextDecade ( NEXT ) to

purchase 1.5 million metric tons of LNG from Train 4 but has

declined to invest or purchase the superchilled gas on a

long-term contract from NextDecade's ( NEXT ) proposed Train 5 export

facility.

NextDecade ( NEXT ) has entered into a fixed-price contract for the

construction of Train 4 with Bechtel for $4.77 billion but the

price is only valid until September 15, according to the

company.

NextDecade ( NEXT ) is building its Rio Grande LNG facility with a

capacity of 17.6 mtpa, and is developing Trains 4 and 5 with a

combined additional capacity of 10.8 mtpa. The projects are

expected to assist the U.S. remain as the largest LNG exporter

in the world.