In Case You Missed It
Houston-based Cheniere Energy last month began production of LNG on the first of three planned trains at its new $15 billion complex in Corpus Christi. This makes the third LNG export facility in the U.S. behind the company’s own Sabine Pass terminal in Louisiana and Dominion Resources’ Cove Point in Maryland. Cheniere kicked off the official start-up of its new facility in true Texas fashion, with a host of dignitaries from eight nations, Texas Governor Greg Abbott and U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross. Adding to the fanfare, the Liberian-flagged Maria Energy docked during the ceremony. According to the company, Train 1 isn’t planned for commercial service until early 2019 although Cheniere expects to make its first LNG shipment before then. Natural gas supplies predominantly from the Permian Basin and Eagle Ford will be pipelined to the facility for delivery points in Latin America, Europe and Asia. Cheniere’s Sabine Pass complex, which became operational in February 2016, has shipped 475 cargoes of LNG to 29 nations.