Venture Global LNG is seeking approval from US energy regulators to increase the peak workforce to up to 6,000 per day at the site of its Plaquemines LNG export plant in Louisiana.
In May, Venture Global took a final investment decision on the first phase of the project and the related pipeline and also secured $13.2 billion in project financing.
Venture Global also boosted the size of the initial phase of the project to 13.33 mtpa.
The company previously said it had executed the majority of the 20-year sales and purchase agreements (SPAs) for 80 percent of the full 20 mtpa project, including the second phase.
The project’s main contractors are KBR and Zachry.
Chart secured orders for both of the phases from Baker Hughes to provide cold boxes and brazed aluminum heat exchangers. Honeywell and GE will also provide their tech to the project.
Plaquemines LNG will deploy Venture Global’s liquefaction trains identical to the units at its Calcasieu Pass project.
Boosting workforce and speeding up activities
According to a filling with the US FERC dated December 27, Venture Global’s Plaquemines LNG has requested authorization to increase the peak workforce to up to 6,000 per day, as compared to 3,600 before.
Plaquemines LNG also asked FERC to increase traffic volumes to accommodate the additional workforce, and implement a 24-hours-per-day, 7-days per-week construction schedule for the project.
In addition, Plaquemines LNG is seeking approval for an additional parking/laydown area referred to as the State Highway 23 (SH23) Yard.
Plaquemines LNG said approval of the variance request would help the firm to meet the December 2025 targeted date and to complete construction of both phases of Plaquemines LNG.
These adjustments would maintain a development schedule that “maximizes construction efficiency while minimizing the temporal impact of environmental and community disturbance in the project vicinity,” the firm said.
According to Plaquemines LNG, the project has experienced several delays due to severe weather, resulting in slower overall construction progress.
“On a global scale, pressure has increased significantly this year to ensure new supply of LNG to foreign markets on schedule. A larger workforce and longer daily work duration will allow Plaquemines LNG to meet its overseas delivery commitments and support allies of the United States in a time of unparalleled need,” the firm said.
Plaquemines LNG phase one customers include PGNiG, Sinopec, CNOOC, Shell, and EDF.
As per the second phase, customers include ExxonMobil, Petronas, and New Fortress Energy.