Kinder Morgan (NYSE:KMI) moved one step closer to exporting LNG out if its Elba terminal in Savannah, Ga., after announcing its master limited partner El Paso Pipeline Partners (UNKNOWN:EPB.DL) joint venture with a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell (NYSE:RDS-B). While the joint venture announcement moves Kinder Morgan one step closer to taking advantage of the cheap natural gas supply in North America, the project is far from certain. Approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is still needed and while the debate over what should be done with the cheap natural gas in the U.S. rages on, it could be years before this country grants its blessing on the project. 

Joel South and Taylor Muckerman own no stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends El Paso Pipeline Partners LP and Kinder Morgan. The Motley Fool owns shares of Kinder Morgan. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.