US LNG exporting giant Cheniere and compatriot Bechtel have almost completed the third jetty project at the six-train 30 mtpa Sabine Pass LNG facility in Louisiana.
According to the latest construction update filed with FERC, the third jetty project was 99.1 percent complete as of August this year, compared to 96.4 percent in July.
“Currently, engineering, procurement, and subcontracts are 100 percent complete against the plan of 100 percent, and construction is 97.5 percent complete against the plan of 97.2 percent,” Cheniere said in the update.
Cheniere started commissioning of the third jetty’s LNG loading arms in August.
“Final preparations for the introduction of hydrocarbons and cooldown commenced and are on track to finish in early September,” it said.
According to Cheniere, it plans to complete commissioning of LNG transfer arms during September.
It appears that the third jetty has already welcomed at least one LNG tanker.
The 174,000-cbm LNG carriers, Aristarchos, owned by Capital Product Partners and chartered by Cheniere, visited the new berth earlier this month, its AIS data shows.
VesselsValue data shows that the vessel was on Friday located at Elengy’s Montoir-de-Bretagne LNG import terminal in France.
Boosting capacity
Cheniere and compatriot Bechtel are adding the third marine berth and supporting facilities to boost operating flexibility at the Sabine Pass LNG facility.
The jetty will have the capability to load LNG carriers with a capacity of 125,000-180,000 cubic meters.
Moreover, it will increase the maximum number of calls by LNG carriers with a capacity of up to 180,000 cbm at Cheniere’s plant by 180 per year.
The operator of the Sabine Pass and Corpus Christi terminals recently revealed plans to increase the company’s liquefaction capacity to about 90 mtpa as part of its “20/20 Vision” long-term capital allocation plan.
Also, Cheniere recently took a final investment decision on Stage 3 expansion at its Corpus Christi LNG export plant in Texas.
The expansion will add about 10 mtpa to the three-train 15 mtpa Corpus Christi plant.