Venture Global Completes Calcasieu String Test

US LNG developer Venture Global said April 2 the first string test on its Calcasieu Pass mixed refrigerant compression system had been successfully completed at Baker Hughes’ testing facility in Massa, Italy.

The string test proves the engineering, functionality and performance of the process system just seven months after the Venture Global made a final investment decision (FID) on the 10mn mt/yr Calcasieu Pass LNG project – “a major achievement and step-change for the industry,” the company said.

As part of the ongoing execution of the project, the string test was performed on the first full set of equipment to prove that all system components function together under normal operating conditions. The string test replicates and simulates site conditions, and every component that will be shipped to and operated at site is commissioned and validated in order to verify whole system functionality and performance.

Baker Hughes and Venture Global used virtual technology to conduct the test in the face of the limiting conditions imposed by the global Covid-19 pandemic. Overall, the test involved 21 people in five cities around the world monitoring the test using advanced digital and video remote access, as well as local field technicians for both Baker Hughes and Venture Global directly observing in Massa.