British-based BG Group has won the Queensland government environmental approvals for a liquid natural gas plant at Gladstone.

BG is the the second to be granted such endorsement, but like Santos/Petronas, the other group that has received its environmental approvals from the Queensland government, BG Group is still deliberating the repercussions of the federal government's proposed RSPT before it gives a final investment decision on the project.

The federal government nearly cut a deal this week with the LNG companies that would place them under the Petroleum Resources Rent Tax instead of the RSPT, according to reports. However, the change of leadership may slow up these negotiations.

BG Group's Australian chief Catherine Tanna outlined her project's problems with the RSPT in a meeting with Kevin Rudd, Wayne Swan and Resources Minister Martin Ferguson in Canberra last week.

While both Santos and BG Group now have their relevant environmental endorsements from the state government, they still need approvals from the federal government.

Both companies, however, have the upper hand on Origin/Conoco-Phillips and the Arrow/Shell grouping, the other two major consortia attempting to establish LNG refineries in Gladstone.

An LNG plant needs about $15 billion spending, and the industry agreement is that two projects is the most likely outcome, rather than four.

If this happens, Origin and Arrow could use either the Santos or BG plant, supposing they still proceed despite the RSPT.

BG Group's approvals were given by Queensland co-ordinator-general Colin Jensen, who to become chief executive of Brisbane City Council.