NextDecade Initiates Pre-Filing for Rio Grande LNG Expansion with Train 6
- Expansion Plan Initiated: NextDecade has begun the pre-filing process with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for the expansion of Rio Grande LNG, which includes a sixth liquefaction train and an additional marine berth. A full application is expected to be filed in 2026, marking a significant step in the company's capacity expansion.
- Current Construction Progress: Currently, five liquefaction trains are under construction at Rio Grande LNG, with the site having the potential to double its liquefaction capacity, reflecting the company's strong confidence in future growth. This expansion will further enhance NextDecade's competitiveness in the global energy market.
- Commitment to Low-Carbon Energy: NextDecade is committed to providing reliable and cleaner energy, and the expansion project will facilitate lower-carbon energy delivery, aligning with global demand for sustainable energy. This strategy not only meets market needs but also enhances the company's brand image.
- Future Outlook: The expansion plan of NextDecade is contingent upon obtaining necessary governmental approvals and financing commitments, indicating a cautious approach in project advancement. Despite uncertainties, NextDecade remains optimistic about future growth and aims to increase its market share through this expansion.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Analyst Views on NEXT
About NEXT
About the author

- Stake Acquisition: Abu Dhabi's Adnoc announced on Monday that it has acquired a 7.6% equity interest in the second phase of the Rio Grande liquefied natural gas project from BlackRock's Global Infrastructure Partners, further solidifying its position in the U.S. LNG market.
- Project Scale: The second phase will include two trains capable of processing approximately 12 million metric tons of LNG per year, with total costs exceeding $13 billion, reflecting Adnoc's confidence in future LNG demand.
- Strategic Positioning: This acquisition follows Adnoc's 2024 purchase of an 11.7% stake in the initial phase of Rio Grande LNG, indicating its commitment to being part of one of the world's largest LNG facilities, which is expected to have a shipping capacity of 60 million metric tons per year.
- Construction Timeline: The first phase of the Rio Grande LNG project began construction in 2023 and is expected to start production in 2027, while the second phase is likely to be substantially complete by 2031, highlighting Adnoc's long-term strategic collaboration with partners like NextDecade.
- Investment Recommendation: Motley Fool contributors Jason Hall and Tyler Crowe recommend Chenier Energy and NextDecade in their video, indicating the potential of these companies in the LNG market, which may attract investor interest.
- Market Performance: As of January 22, 2026, Chenier Energy's stock price rose by 0.27%, while NextDecade's stock price increased by 0.77%, reflecting a positive market response to both companies.
- Video Release: The video was published on January 25, 2026, aiming to provide investors with insights into the LNG industry to help them make more informed investment decisions.
- Industry Outlook: With the growing global demand for clean energy, the LNG sector's growth potential is widely recognized, and as industry players, Chenier Energy and NextDecade stand to benefit from this trend.
- Investment Recommendation: The Motley Fool analyst team has identified 10 stocks as the best investment choices currently, notably excluding Cheniere Energy, which may indicate its relative weakness in the market and potentially affect investor confidence.
- Historical Returns: Previously recommended stocks like Netflix and Nvidia achieved returns of 464,439% and 1,150,455% respectively after their recommendations, underscoring the significant investment value of Motley Fool's picks and highlighting the importance of selecting the right stocks.
- Market Performance: Stock Advisor boasts an average return of 949%, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's 195%, showcasing its stock-picking prowess and attracting more investors to its recommendations.
- Investor Community: By fostering a community built by individual investors, Motley Fool encourages participation and sharing of investment experiences, further enhancing its influence and credibility among investors.

Hanwha Aerospace's Share Acquisition: Hanwha Aerospace purchased 1,651,971 shares of NextDecade Corporation for approximately $9.4 million, increasing its direct ownership to 26,420,222 shares, which represents 3.90% of its total holdings prior to the trade.
NextDecade's Business Focus: NextDecade Corporation specializes in LNG export and carbon capture solutions, aiming to meet the rising global demand for cleaner energy, although it has not yet reported any revenue and incurred significant operating expenses.
Strategic Partnership: The acquisition aligns with a memorandum of understanding signed in August 2025 between Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Energy, and Korea Southern Power to develop an integrated LNG value chain, utilizing Hanwha Ocean's LNG carrier fleet.
Investment Risks: Analysts caution that investing in NextDecade may be risky due to its lack of revenue and the expectation that it will not begin selling LNG until the early 2030s, despite plans to produce 30 million tonnes annually from its Rio Grande facility.
NextDecade Corp Options Activity: NextDecade Corp (NEXT) has seen a significant options trading volume of 25,369 contracts today, equating to about 2.5 million underlying shares, which is 82% of its average daily trading volume over the past month.
High Volume Call Option for NEXT: The $6 strike call option expiring on April 17, 2026, has particularly high activity with 23,279 contracts traded, representing approximately 2.3 million underlying shares.
SSR Mining Inc Options Activity: SSR Mining Inc (SSRM) recorded an options trading volume of 17,601 contracts today, representing around 1.8 million underlying shares, or 77.7% of its average daily trading volume over the past month.
High Volume Call Option for SSRM: The $24 strike call option expiring on January 16, 2026, has seen notable trading with 14,846 contracts, representing approximately 1.5 million underlying shares.
- Expansion Plan Initiated: NextDecade has begun the pre-filing process with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for the expansion of Rio Grande LNG, which includes a sixth liquefaction train and an additional marine berth. A full application is expected to be filed in 2026, marking a significant step in the company's capacity expansion.
- Current Construction Progress: Currently, five liquefaction trains are under construction at Rio Grande LNG, with the site having the potential to double its liquefaction capacity, reflecting the company's strong confidence in future growth. This expansion will further enhance NextDecade's competitiveness in the global energy market.
- Commitment to Low-Carbon Energy: NextDecade is committed to providing reliable and cleaner energy, and the expansion project will facilitate lower-carbon energy delivery, aligning with global demand for sustainable energy. This strategy not only meets market needs but also enhances the company's brand image.
- Future Outlook: The expansion plan of NextDecade is contingent upon obtaining necessary governmental approvals and financing commitments, indicating a cautious approach in project advancement. Despite uncertainties, NextDecade remains optimistic about future growth and aims to increase its market share through this expansion.










