November gas flows to US LNG plants offered outlet for robust production
Total daily natural gas flows to the six operational U.S. LNG export facilities averaged about 6.3 Bcf/d in November as the ramp-up in U.S. export capacity continued, according to pipeline flow data from S&P Global Market Intelligence. The U.S. LNG export capacity is on track to top 7 Bcf/d by early 2020, a figure that stands to increase as new liquefaction units come online. The continuing ramp-up was evident in November.
Annova LNG seeks to break out of crowded export field with marketing pitch
Annova LNG's backers will sanction the company's proposed $4.5 billion South Texas LNG export project after two-thirds of the capacity is sold, and they are willing to offer buyers a gas charge with a lower premium than is typical for existing terminals, Annova CEO Omar Khayum said. The target and pitch reflect the realities of a crowded marketplace. What was supposed to be a breakout year for final investment decisions has largely disappointed as 2019 draws to a close. With pressure building, several developers, including Annova LNG, have pushed off the decisions until 2020 or later.
Chevron may struggle to find buyers for Appalachia shale gas assets
Analysts and investors were not surprised by Chevron Corp.'s recent disclosure that it is considering selling its Appalachian natural gas shale assets, but the major may be hard-pressed to find interested buyers since sluggish gas prices are not expected to recover any time soon, according to analysts. Chevron said Dec. 10 that it expects to take as much as an $11 billion impairment charge in the fourth quarter, with more than half of the write-down driven by its Appalachia gas shale assets. The write-down also includes the Kitimat LNG project in Canada, the Big Foot offshore oil project in the Gulf of Mexico and other unnamed gas projects around the world.
Freeport LNG begins operations on 1st train of Texas export terminal
Freeport LNG Development LP started commercial operations on the first natural gas liquefaction train of its export facility on Quintana Island in Freeport, Texas. Freeport LNG shipped the first LNG commissioning cargo from the first train in September. The partnership received a green light from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to start flowing gas to the train in July.
Freeport LNG's 2nd train at Texas terminal begins LNG production
Freeport LNG started producing LNG on the second natural gas liquefaction train of its export facility on Quintana Island in Freeport, Texas. The second train is scheduled to begin service in January 2020. The second and third trains at the Freeport LNG terminal remain on track, with the third train scheduled for initial LNG production in the first quarter of 2020, according to a Dec. 6 news release.
Cheniere gets extension for Train 6 at Sabine Pass LNG, maintains timeline
FERC granted an extension for Cheniere Energy Inc. to complete a sixth natural gas liquefaction train at its Sabine Pass LNG terminal in Louisiana, an expansion project the developer said remains on track to enter commercial service in the first half of 2023. Cheniere did not announce a final investment decision on the sixth train until June, meaning there was not enough time for the facility to be built before the original FERC authorization expired April 6, 2020.