Venture Global makes final decision on Calcasieu Pass LNG terminal
Venture Global LNG announced it had made a formal final investment decision to build its Calcasieu Pass LNG export project in Louisiana. The decision was expected after the privately held company announced in July that it secured financing commitments nearly doubling the $5.8 billion needed to cover the development of the export terminal and the associated TransCameron pipeline. Venture Global announced the final investment decision in an update to an Aug. 19 news release that said the company closed the project financing.
Freeport LNG begins liquefaction production at Texas export facility
Freeport LNG Development LP has become the sixth major U.S. natural gas liquefaction facility to start up, with the operator confirming Aug. 19 that production had begun at the Texas facility. "This is an exciting and significant milestone which now paves the way for our first train 1 cargo loading expected later this month," spokesperson Heather Browne said in an emailed statement. "Freeport's train 1 remains on schedule for a September start of commercial operations."
Cameron LNG export project begins commercial operations
The Sempra Energy-led Cameron LNG export terminal started commercial operations under the facility's tolling agreements, the company announced Aug. 19. "This is an exciting moment for Cameron LNG and for Sempra Energy," Carlos Ruiz Sacristan, chairman and CEO of Sempra North American Infrastructure, said in a statement. "Cameron LNG is exporting liquefied natural gas to customers in the largest world markets, helping to support economic growth in the U.S. and abroad."
Cheniere cannot foreclose on $46M paid to former partner in LNG projects
Cheniere Energy Inc. cannot start foreclosure proceedings against the subsidiary of a former business partner that Cheniere accused of failing to pay back a $46 million loan to develop LNG projects, according to an Aug. 13 ruling by a Texas appeals court. The ruling affirmed a trial court's decision to block the Cheniere move while a long-running legal battle plays out.
Latin America was top destination for US LNG in Q2; Europe remained important
Surging demand in Latin America swept the region into the top spot as a destination for U.S. LNG exports during the second quarter. Despite the rise of shipments to Latin America in the second quarter, European Union countries and Turkey remained the top regional destination for U.S. LNG over the first six months of 2019.
Group wants FERC to produce information on Delaware River LNG export facility
An environmental group accused the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission of failing to provide information on a proposed LNG export facility along the Delaware River in New Jersey, even after the group won an appeal seeking information about the scope of the project. Maya van Rossum, leader of Delaware Riverkeeper Network, said in an Aug. 19 email that the "failure is unacceptable."
Commonwealth LNG applies to FERC for 8.4-mtpa La. export project
Privately held Commonwealth LNG LLC filed with U.S. regulators a formal application for a permit to build an 8.4 million-tonne-per-annum LNG export terminal and affiliated feedgas pipeline interconnect in Cameron Parish, La. Its Aug. 20 formal application with FERC asked for approval of a Natural Gas Act certificate by January 2021 so that it can begin commercial exports by the first quarter of 2024.
