The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission gave Cheniere Energy Inc. subsidiaries permission to introduce refrigerants into the fifth natural gas liquefaction train at the Sabine Pass export terminal in preparation for LNG production at the train by the end of the year.

FERC staff found that Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC and Sabine Pass LNG LP is in compliance with the environmental conditions in the commission's 2015 certificate order allowing the LNG terminal's construction and operation, according to an Oct. 11 letter.

The Cheniere units had asked on Oct. 2 to introduce refrigerants into the fifth train. The FERC approval does not allow Sabine Pass to introduce hazardous fluids into other facilities at the terminal.

FERC on the same day also approved fellow Cheniere unit Corpus Christi Liquefaction LLC's request to introduce refrigerants to its first natural gas liquefaction unit, which is also slated to produce its first LNG by the end of the year.

FERC in early September allowed Sabine Pass to introduce feed gas into train 5. The LNG terminal currently has four trains in service. Train 5 would have an LNG production capacity of 4.5 million tonnes per annum, or about 0.7 Bcf/d, and is scheduled to begin commercial service in 2019. A new natural gas pipeline that would provide gas supply to Sabine Pass also received FERC approval to begin partial service in August. (FERC docket CP13-552)