Core Insights - KBR, Inc. has been selected by Coastal Bend LNG, in partnership with Tecnicas Reunidas, to perform the front-end engineering and design (FEED) for a new natural gas liquefaction and export facility on the Texas Gulf Coast, leading to a 0.4% increase in KBR's shares in pre-market trading [1] Overview of the New Contract - The initial phase of the project will focus on FEED, with plans to advance to the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) phase upon a positive final investment decision [2] - The collaboration will utilize ConocoPhillips' Optimized Cascade Process to design multiple large-scale LNG production trains, aiming for cost-competitive LNG production while minimizing greenhouse gas emissions [2] Industry Position and Expertise - KBR leverages over five decades of LNG expertise to design energy infrastructure that is efficient and scalable, aligning with global energy demand [3] - The partnership aims to set a new standard for low-carbon LNG production by optimizing economic performance and efficiency while reducing carbon intensity [3] Backlog Growth and Market Conditions - KBR's backlog reached $23.35 billion by the end of Q3 FY25, reflecting a 5.6% year-over-year increase and a 13.5% rise from FY24, supported by a book-to-bill ratio of 1.4x [5] - Growth is driven by notable awards in LNG-related FEED work, including projects in Indonesia and additional contracts in Iraq, Kuwait, and the UAE, highlighting KBR's strong position in LNG-led energy infrastructure [5] Stock Performance - KBR's stock has increased by 3.3% over the past month, outperforming the Zacks Engineering - R and D Services industry, which grew by 0.8% [6] - The stock performance reflects resilience in U.S. programs and strong international momentum, although near-term prospects are affected by delays in new contract awards and slower U.K. defense funding [6]