US energy regulators granted Cheniere’s request for more time to build the proposed Stage 3 expansion at its Corpus Christi LNG export plant in Texas.
In December last year, Cheniere filed a motion with the FERC requesting a 31-month
extension of time to complete construction and place the project into service.
“Corpus Christi Liquefaction Stage III, LLC, Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC,
and Cheniere Corpus Christi Pipeline, LP are granted a 31-month extension of time to
June 30, 2027, to construct and make available for service the Stage 3 LNG Project,” FERC said in the order dated May 6.
The Corpus Christi liquefaction plant now consists of three operational trains with each having a capacity of about 5 mtpa.
Under the expansion, Cheniere plans to add up to seven midscale trains, each with an expected liquefaction capacity of about 1.49 mtpa, with a total production capacity of more than 10 mtpa.
In March, Cheniere awarded a lump sum, turnkey, engineering, procurement and construction contract to compatriot Bechtel for the expansion.
Bechtel has begun early engineering, procurement and other site works under limited notice to proceed.
In addition, Cheniere recently signed a deal with a unit of Canada’s ARC Resources under which the latter will supply natural gas to the Corpus Christi expansion project in Texas.
Cheniere said it expects to reach FID on the expansion this summer.