Golden Pass LNG moves forward with commissioning of first train

According to a filing dated November 25, the US FERC granted Golden Pass LNG Terminal’s November 24 request to introduce fuel gas into the Train 1 gas turbine and dry flare header.

Two weeks ago, FERC granted Golden Pass LNG Terminal’s request to introduce fuel gas into Train 1.

In addition to introducing fuel gas, Golden Pass is expected to receive a cooldown cargo soon.

The 174,000-cbm Imsaikah, widely reported to be carrying a cooldown cargo from Qatar to the LNG facility, was located in the Caribbean Sea on Wednesday.

The QatarEnergy-chartered vessel is expected to arrive at its destination in the Texas Gulf Coast later this week, according to its AIS data provided by VesselsValue.

In September, Golden Pass LNG secured approval from the US DOE to export previously imported LNG from October.

The JV requested that DOE’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management issue an order granting GPLNG to engage in short-term exports of up to 50 Bcf of LNG, on a cumulative basis, that will have been previously imported into the US from foreign sources.

The LNG supplies will either be re-exported or regasified to be used as fuel gas at the facility.

Golden Pass LNG said in an update on October 29 that it will be receiving a cooldown cargo arriving in early December with off-loading taking place thereafter.

“This is a normal part of our planned commissioning and start-up activities as we work towards first LNG and begin to deliver clean energy from Texas to power the world,” the JV said.

Trains 2 and 3

ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods recently said that the Golden Pass LNG export project remains on track to produce first LNG volumes by the end of this year.

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 won the EPC contract to build the three Golden Pass trains worth about $10 billion next to the existing LNG import terminal in the vicinity of Sabine Pass, Texas.

However, Zachry Holdings said in May 2024 that it had filed for bankruptcy, initiating a structured exit from the Golden Pass LNG export project due to “financial challenges” related to the facility’s construction.

In November 2024, Japan’s Chiyoda and McDermott’s CB&I reached a deal with Golden Pass LNG to complete the construction of the first liquefaction train following the exit of Zachry.

Additionally, Chiyoda and McDermott recently signed a revised EPC contract with Golden Pass LNG to complete the construction of the second and third liquefaction units.