KBR Inc. has been awarded a pre-FEED contract by Mexico Pacific Ltd. (MPL) on Feb. 28 for a midscale LNG liquefaction project in Puerto Libertad on the Pacific coast of Mexico.

Under the terms of the contract, KBR will provide a pre-FEED and cost estimate for the project. This work will be performed by KBR utilizing the ConocoPhillips Optimized Cascade technology, leveraging the midscale LNG joint development work previously announced by KBR.

“We are excited to be a part of this Mexico Pacific Limited LNG project and to deliver innovative LNG technology solutions for our customers,” Farhan Mujib, KBR president hydrocarbons delivery solutions, said. “We believe midscale LNG projects have an important part to play in the global LNG market.”

The engagement continues the progress towards commercialization for MPL. The contract continues a broader competitive process with FEED expected to start mid-2019.

For more than 40 years, KBR has been recognized as a pioneer in the LNG industry, designing and constructing one-third of the world’s LNG production.