Freeport LNG gets FERC approval to begin restart of Texas plant

Freeport LNG, the operator of the three-train 15 mtpa liquefaction plant in Texas, has secured approval from US FERC to start introducing LNG into the piping system at the plant.

The terminal has been offline for some seven months due to an incident that took place on June 8 last year.

Freeport LNG asked US FERC on January 22 for authorization to cool down the Loop 1 LNG transfer piping and and reinstate the facility’s boil off gas (BOG) management compressors and associated piping as its initial step to resuming normal operations at the export facility.

This includes the introduction of LNG into the piping system to allow the piping to cool down to cryogenic temperatures necessary for circulation of LNG within the Loop 1 piping system.

FERC approved the request on January 26, according to a filling.

Additional authorization

The regulator said in the filling that “additional authorization to restart operations is necessary to reinstate service for Loop 1 LNG circulation to enable ship loading to Dock 1 and to cooldown, recommission, and reinstate service of the liquefaction trains, including rundown piping to tanks.”

“Freeport LNG must also continue to provide and file weekly reports and, as recognized in your request, provide and file daily commissioning reports that details the progress toward demonstrating the facilities can safely and reliably operate as designed,” the regulator said.

Also, Freeport LNG must also comply with any applicable PHMSA and US Coast Guard requirements, it added.

BP, Jera, Osaka Gas, SK E&S, as well as TotalEnergies have long-term contracts with Freeport LNG.

Besides the three trains, Freeport LNG is also planning to add another production unit with a capacity of 5 mtpa, but it has not yet taken a final investment decision.

In October, FERC granted Freeport LNG’s request for a 26-month extension of time to build the fourth liquefaction train.

Most Popular

Woodside issues Louisiana LNG construction update

In October 2024, Woodside acquired all issued and outstanding Tellurian common stock for about $900 million cash, or $1.00 per share....

Trump lifts pause on non-FTA LNG export approvals

Trump issued the executive order, which was widely expected, just hours after officially taking over his second four-year term...

YPF, Indian firms ink Argentina LNG deal

According to a statement by YPF, the firm signed the MoU with GAIL, Oil India, and ONGC Videsh...

More News Like This

Plaquemines LNG to commission two more liquefaction blocks with nitrogen

According to a filing dated January 13, the regulator approved the commissioning of the liquefaction train system blocks 7...

Freeport LNG ships 800th cargo

The LNG terminal operator announced the departure of the milestone shipment in a social media post on Tuesday. Freeport LNG...

Cheniere’s Corpus Christi expansion project nears first LNG

According to a filing with the US FERC dated December 20, Corpus Christi Liquefaction requests to introduce FEED gas...

Venture Global gets OK for first Plaquemines LNG commissioning cargo

FERC granted Venture Global Plaquemines LNG's request on December 20 to "export by LNG marine vessels the volumes of...