According to a filing dated November 12, FERC granted Golden Pass LNG Terminal’s November 10 request to introduce fuel gas into Train 1.
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 three-train 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.
In June this year, Chiyoda and McDermott signed a binding term sheet with Golden Pass LNG, a joint venture owned by QatarEnergy and ExxonMobil, to complete the construction of the second and third liquefaction units at the giant LNG export plant in Texas.
Cooldown cargo
Last month, Golden Pass LNG sought approval to place into service its MP 69 compressor station.
Before that, FERC granted approval to GPPL to place into service its MP 33 compressor station.
Additionally, Golden Pass has 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.
