US LNG exporting giant Cheniere and compatriot Bechtel are moving forward with the construction work on the expansion phase at the Corpus Christi LNG export plant in Texas.
Cheniere’s Corpus Christi liquefaction plant now consists of three operational trains with each having a capacity of about 5 mtpa.
In June last year, Cheniere took a final investment decision on the Corpus Christi Stage 3 expansion project worth about $8 billion and Bechtel officially started construction on the project in October.
The project includes building seven midscale trains, each with an expected liquefaction capacity of about 1.49 mtpa.
Cheniere’s unit Corpus Christi Liquefaction said in the November construction report filed with the US FERC that overall project completion for the Stage 3 project is 48.8 percent.
Stage 3 engineering and procurement are 80 percent and 69 percent complete, respectively, while subcontract and direct hire construction work are 63.1 percent and 9.8 percent complete, respectively, it said.
Work progressing
During November, CCL’s contractor Bechtel continued piling activities, road improvements, drainage work, and mobilization of temporary facilities, equipment, and personnel.
Piling and soil stabilization teams are making progress in Trains 5 and 6, as well as OSBL phase, the firm said.
Concrete work is progressing in train 2 and OSBL south. Aboveground piping continues to be connected and integrated with pipe spools in the train 1 cryo racks and will continue in the AGRU area in the upcoming weeks, it said.
Key equipment installations include the train 1 cold boxes, utility substation, and hot oil furnace.
In August, first cold boxes arrived at the site.
Last year, US equipment manufacturer Chart Industries received full notice to proceed for the expansion project from Bechtel for its IPMSR process and equipment activities.
Cheniere’s unit said that additional major installations are planned for December 2023, such as the GIS substation and the first refrigeration compressor.
Ahead of schedule
Cheniere previously said that LNG deliveries from the expansion project will begin in 2025 with full production in 2027.
However, Cheniere’s CEO Jack Fusco said in August that the company is expecting to complete the expansion phase ahead of schedule.
He said in November that construction on Corpus Christi Stage 3 “continues to progress ahead of plan, and I am optimistic first LNG production from train 1 will occur by the end of 2024.”
The expansion project was 44.1 percent complete as of September 30.
