Australia’s Woodside Energy has enlisted U.S. pipeline operator Williams as a key partner in its $17.5 billion Louisiana LNG project, the companies announced Thursday.

The deal brings Williams' infrastructure experience to the project while easing cost pressures on Woodside as construction accelerates.

Under the agreement, Williams will acquire a 10% stake in the LNG project's holding company and 80% of the Driftwood pipeline, which will supply gas to the plant. Williams will pay Woodside $378 million and contribute $1.9 billion toward the facility's construction costs.

Woodside CEO Meg O’Neill said while her company has expertise in LNG development, it needed an experienced U.S. onshore pipeline operator, making Williams a crucial partner, operating more than 33,000 miles of pipeline across the U.S.

O’Neill said the project is "off to the races" and the construction workforce has ramped up, with first production expected in 2029.

Woodside still intends to sell an additional 10% to 20% stake in the holding company to reduce its overall interest to 50%. 

"We'll continue to be patient, but the window is narrowing," O'Neill said about finding other investors.

Williams is the first partner added since Woodside gave the project a final go-ahead in April.

MST Marquee analyst Saul Kavonic called Williams a "very strong partner" that would help Woodside's balance sheet and raise the project's U.S. profile. Woodside shares rose 4.1% to A$24.11 (USD $16.69)on Thursday.

The plant, expected to have an initial annual capacity of 16.5 million metric tons, is targeting European markets seeking alternatives to Russian gas. Woodside already has supply agreements with Germany’s Uniper and Turkey’s BOTAS.