Cheniere Says First Texas Train Substantially Complete

In the wake of last week’s approval from regulators to start the first train at its Corpus Christi Liquefaction (CCL) project in Texas, Cheniere Energy said March 4 the 4.5mn mt/yr Train 1 is now substantially complete.

It will be the first liquefaction train operating at a greenfield liquefaction facility in the lower 48 states, Cheniere CEO Jack Fusco said.

Brendan Bechtel, CEO of Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, said substantial completion at CCL was a “momentous” occasion, marking the fifth LNG train for which it carried out engineering, procurement and construction for Cheniere, beginning with Train 1 at Sabine Pass in Louisiana.

“With five trains now completed and operating well ahead of schedule, we are excited to continue working alongside Cheniere to deliver their next wave of trains with the reliability of outcome that Cheniere and Bechtel have become known for delivering,” he said.

Under sale and purchase agreements (SPAs) with Spain’s Endesa and Indonesia’s PT Pertamina (Persero), the first commercial delivery from Train 1 is expected in June 2019. Additionally, bridging volumes are expected to begin in June 2019 under an SPA with Spanish Iberdrola.

Cheniere is also reported to be the source of supply for $18bn worth of LNG exports from the US to China, under the terms of a new trade agreement between the two countries expected to be signed soon.