Exporter of LNG creating a link to Ireland

The Woodlands-based Next Decade is aiming to ship liquefied natural gas from Texas to Ireland.

Next Decade said it signed an agreement with the Port of Cork in Ireland to develop an LNG import terminal there usingby the Norwegian company Flex LNG to restore the liquid to its gaseous state.

Next Decade is planning a major LNG export terminal near Browns ville called the Rio Grande LNG project from where shale gas produced in Texas would be sent to Ireland. The project, however, has faced community opposition, while some tax breaks sought by the company have been rejected.That hasn’ t stopped Next Decade from trying to move forward.

Next Decade and the Port of Cork are planning an event on Aug .2 in Ireland to highlight the potential benefits of the project.

Next Decade is one of several companiesterminals as the so-called sh ale revolution trans forms the U.S. into an energy exporter. Next Decade also is developing an LNG export terminal closer to Houston by Texas City, but those plans aren’ t as far along as the Browns ville project.

Next Decade, meanwhile, is on the verge of becoming publicly traded on the Nasdaq stock exchange through a merger with Harmony Merger Corp ., a public company. Harmony Merger Corp. is a so-called blank check firm. The goal of such special purpose acquisition companies is merging with private businesses that want easier access to public markets and financing.

The all-stock deal that is billed as a $1 billion transaction will leave Delaware based Harmony investors with a 13.4 percent stake in the combined company, while Next Decade’ sshareholders will control the rest. Private equity firms York Capital Management, Val in or Management and Halcyon CapitalManagement control a majority of Next Decade.