The first liquified natural gas (LNG) import terminal on the west coast of North America is scheduled to go operational on April 19, according to a statement by San Diego, CA-based Sempra Energy. Two LNG tankers have been dispatched to test the Energia Costa Azul import and regasification plant in Ensenada, Baja California. Approximately half of the 1 billion cubic feet of LNG that the plant imports each day will be used in Mexico, and half will be shipped to the United States.

Because natural gas is highly explosive, it must be cooled and liquified for shipping, then regasified at a special import terminal. With North American natural gas reserves running out, the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has plans for 40 new LNG import terminals.

Mexico’s third LNG plant, in Manzanillo, Colima, is scheduled to open in 2012. The Manzanillo plant is expected to import gas from the controversial Camisea gas field in the Peruvian Amazon.