The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) approved an application for small-scale exports of LNG from a Houston-based company that intends to sell to customers in the Caribbean and elsewhere in the region.

The result of this permit will be closely watched by an industry so far dominated by massive LNG projects like Cheniere Energy Inc.’s Sabine Pass, La., terminal.

Eagle Maxville, a unit of Eagle LNG Partners, has permission to ship 10 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) from its Jacksonville, Fla., terminal in ISO containers. DOE noted in its announcement that no public comments were received during its three-month review, allowing Energy Secretary Rick Perry to expedite the export authorization.

DOE has now authorized a total of 21.35 Bcf/d of natural gas exports to anywhere in the world not prohibited by U.S. law from existing and planned facilities in Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Georgia and Maryland.