Energy giants QatarEnergy and ExxonMobil released the latest construction update for their Golden Pass LNG export terminal on the US Gulf Coast near Sabine Pass, Texas.
State-owned QatarEnergy owns a 70 percent stake in the Golden Pass project with a capacity of more than 18 mtpa and will offtake 70 percent of the capacity, while US energy firm ExxonMobil has a 30 percent share.
A joint venture of Chiyoda, McDermott, and Zachry is building the tree Golden Pass trains worth about $10 billion next to the existing LNG import terminal.
Golden Pass LNG Terminal and Golden Pass Pipeline said in the newest construction report filed with the US FERC that Golden Pass is continuing to carry out Phase I and Phase II activities.
Golden Pass and its contractors progressed installation of piping and steel in process and utilities areas and flare wall modifications, continued piping and vessels insulation activities, while concrete foundation pours continued in Train 2 and Train 3.
In addition, Golden Pass progressed setting various vessels on respective foundations and progressed brownfield tie-ins in Trains 2 and 3, and progressed brownfield tie-ins and LNG tank tops modifications scope.
Golden Pass also progressed cable tray installations and cable pulling activities and continued pipe pneumatic / hydrostatic testing program.
As per the pipeline expansion project, Golden Pass continued civil activities and concrete foundation pours at milepost MP33 and MP69 compressor stations and also continued pipe fabrication and installation at these stations.
It also continued construction activities of the Sabine Spur, Natural Gas Pipeline (NGPL)
Interconnect improvements, and associated facilities.
H1 2025
Regarding the start of operations, the FERC said in an inspection report in November that the anticipated timing for the first Golden Pass train is the second half of 2024, with the second and the third train following after.
The anticipated in-service timing for the pipeline expansion project is expected sometime prior to the second half of 2024, it said.
ExxonMobil’s senior VP and CFO, Kathryn Mikellss, recently said that “train 1 mechanical completion is expected at the end of 2024 with first LNG in first half of 2025.”
The US currently exports LNG via Cheniere’s Sabine Pass and Corpus Christi plants, Sempra’s Cameron LNG terminal, Venture Global’s Calcasieu Pass facility, the Freeport LNG terminal, Berkshire Hathaway’s Cove Point terminal, and Kinder Morgan’s Elba Island facility.
Besides the Golden Pass LNG export plant, Venture Global expects to start commissioning its Plaquemines LNG facility this year.