October 30, 2023 [LNG Prime]- QatarEnergy and ExxonMobil released the latest construction update for their giant Golden Pass LNG export plant on the US Gulf Coast near Sabine Pass, Texas.

State-owned QatarEnergy owns a 70 percent stake in the Golden Pass project with a capacity of more than 18 mtpa and will offtake 70 percent of the capacity, while US energy firm ExxonMobil has a 30 percent share.

A joint venture of Chiyoda, McDermott, and Zachry is building the tree Golden Pass trains worth about $10 billion next to the existing LNG import terminal.

First train expected to start ops in 2024

Golden Pass LNG Terminal and Golden Pass Pipeline said in the newest construction report filed with the US FERC that Golden Pass is continuing to carry out Phase I and Phase II activities, such as storm water protection, levee construction, stockpiling of material, and piling.

Golden Pass and its contractors progressed installation of piping and steel in process and utilities areas, continued piping and vessels insulation activities and helical piles and piping installation for the ground flares, while concrete foundation pours continued in Train 2 and Train 3.

In addition, Golden Pass progressed setting various vessels on respective foundations and progressed brownfield tie-ins.

As per the pipeline expansion project, Golden Pass continued civil activities and concrete foundation pours at milepost MP33 and MP69 compressor stations and also continued pipe fabrication and installation at these stations.

It also continued construction activities of the Sabine Spur, Natural Gas Pipeline (NGPL)
Interconnect improvements, and associated facilities.

As per the start of operations, the FERC said in an inspection report earlier this month that the anticipated in-service timing for the first Golden Pass train is the second half of 2024, with the second and the third train following after.

The anticipated in-service timing for the pipeline expansion project is expected sometime prior to the second half of 2024, it said.

The US currently exports LNG via Cheniere’s Sabine Pass and Corpus Christi plants, Sempra’s Cameron LNG terminal, Venture Global’s Calcasieu Pass facility, the Freeport LNG terminal, Berkshire Hathaway’s Cove Point terminal, and Kinder Morgan’s Elba Island facility.

Besides the Golden Pass LNG export plant, Venture Global’s Plaquemines LNG facility is also expected to start production next year.

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