Freeport LNG gets more time to build fourth train

US energy regulators granted Freeport LNG’s request for more time to build the fourth liquefaction train at its export plant in Texas.

Freeport LNG’s $13.5 billion, three-train facility currently has a capacity of more than 15 mtpa, or up to 2.14 Bcf per day of LNG.

The plant remains shut following an incident at the facility that took place on June 8. The LNG terminal operator delayed the restart of its LNG export plant to November.

Prior to the incident, the terminal owner led by billionaire Michael Smith asked US FERC in May for more time to build the fourth liquefaction train with a capacity of about five mtpa.

FERC said in a filling dated October 13 it had granted “Freeport LNG Development and FLNG Liquefaction 4 a 26-month extension of time, to August 1, 2028, to construct and make available for service the Train 4 Project facilities.”

FERC approved the fourth train in May 2019 and after that granted an extension to Freeport LNG in September 2020 to build and commission the project until May 17, 2026.

However, construction of the new train has not yet commenced, due in “large part to delays stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic,” Freeport LNG told FERC in the filing in May.

48-56 months

Like the first three trains, Train 4 will use electric motors with variable frequency drive for the cooling and liquefaction compression power.

The LNG terminal operator would construct the expansion approximate to the first three trains on Quintana Island and adjacent to the first three pretreatment units at the pretreatment facility near Oyster Creek.

Freeport LNG expects a minimum 48-56 month construction period for the new train.

It said that the “impact of the pandemic on the global community has now waned substantially, and global demand for US LNG has rebounded.”

The firm is actively marketing Train 4 project capacity to a “number of potential off-takers, particularly in European markets, and is in active negotiations with several potential customers,” it said in the filling in May.

New EPC contractor

The terminal operator had originally selected KBR as the preferred bidder for the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract for the development.

However, due to KBR’s decision to exit the LNG EPC business, Freeport LNG had to conduct another lengthy bidding process for the EPC contract prior to commencing construction of the new train.

Freeport LNG launched this competitive bidding process in early May 2022 with “several world-class engineering and construction companies” in order to receive firm price and schedule proposals for the Train 4 project in early fourth quarter.

Most Popular

Coastal Bend LNG plans large Texas export plant

Coastal Bend LNG said it had initiated development of a 22.5 million ton per annum (mtpa) natural gas liquefaction and export facility on the Texas Gulf Coast.

HD Hyundai Samho scores contract to build LNG carrier quartet

South Korea’s HD Hyundai Samho has secured an order to build four liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers for about $1.03 billion.

Golden Pass LNG contractors agree terms for second and third train

Japan's Chiyoda and US-based McDermott have signed a binding term sheet with Golden Pass LNG, a joint venture owned by QatarEnergy and ExxonMobil, to complete the construction of the second and third liquefaction units at the giant LNG export plant in Texas.

More News Like This

Coastal Bend LNG plans large Texas export plant

Coastal Bend LNG said it had initiated development of a 22.5 million ton per annum (mtpa) natural gas liquefaction and export facility on the Texas Gulf Coast.

Freeport seeks more time to build fourth LNG train

Freeport LNG has requested additional time from the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to construct and place in service the planned fourth liquefaction train at its export plant in Texas.

Kimmeridge’s Commonwealth LNG gets FERC approval

Kimmeridge's Commonwealth LNG has received the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s final order upholding authorization for its planned 9.5 mtpa LNG export project near Cameron, Louisiana.

Venture Global gets FERC OK to boost Calcasieu Pass LNG capacity

US LNG exporter Venture Global LNG has received approval from the US FERC to increase the peak liquefaction capacity of its Calcasieu Pass LNG terminal in Louisiana.