July 23, 2024 [LNG Prime]- The Stage 3 expansion project at Cheniere’s Corpus Christi LNG export plant in Texas is 62.4 percent complete, and the US LNG exporting giant is working to start production at the first train later this year.

Cheniere’s Corpus Christi liquefaction plant now has three operational trains with each having a capacity of about 5 mtpa.

In June 2022, Cheniere took a final investment decision on the Corpus Christi Stage 3 expansion project worth about $8 billion and compatriot Bechtel officially started construction on the project in October the same year.

The project includes building seven midscale trains, each with an expected liquefaction capacity of about 1.49 mtpa.

Cheniere’s unit Corpus Christi Liquefaction said in the June construction report filed with the US FERC on Monday that overall project completion for the Stage 3 project is 62.4 percent.

The project was 57.6 percent complete as of April 31, 2024.

Stage 3 engineering and procurement are 93.7 percent and 80.3 percent complete, respectively, while subcontract and direct hire construction work are 83.9 percent and 24.4 percent complete, respectively.

Energization of first train

During the month of June, CCL’s contractor achieved energization of the train 1 liquefaction and utility substations, it said.

Moreover, Bechtel continued road improvements, drainage work and mobilization of temporary facilities, equipment, and personnel during the reporting period.

Concrete work continues in trains 2 – 6, and outside boundary limits (OSBL), while structural steel started in train 4 and continues in trains 2, 3, and OSBL.

Underground piping is progressing in trains 1 – 6 and OSBL, and equipment setting is ongoing in trains 1 – 4, CCL said.

During July, Bechtel will continue installation of pipe spools in the cryogenic and AGRU pipe racks at the first train and continue testing of aboveground piping.

First LNG production in 2024

Cheniere initially said that LNG deliveries from the expansion project were expected to begin in 2025 with full production in 2027.

However, Cheniere’s CEO Jack Fusco said in August last year that the company is expecting to complete the expansion phase ahead of schedule.

The company confirmed in its first quarter report that it expects to achieve first LNG production from the first train at the end of 2024.

Substantial completion of the project is expected during 1H 2025 – 2H 2026.

Besides this expansion, Cheniere plans to build two more liquefaction trains as part of the third expansion phase at the Corpus Christi plant.

Cheniere aims to to take a final investment decision on this project in 2025.

In addition, Cheniere also aims to build two new liquefaction trains as part of the Sabine Pass Stage 5 expansion project to add up to 20 mtpa of capacity to the giant 30 mtpa facility.

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