Dominion requests permit to export Cove Point LNG commissioning cargoes

Dominion requested permission to export commissioning cargoes from its Cove Point liquefaction project being built at its existing LNG terminal in Calvert County, Maryland. 

According to a notice issued by the United States Department of Energy (DOE), the commissioning cargoes would be exported over a period of two years, starting on the date of the first short-term export, which is expected to occur in 2017.

In its filing requesting permission to export LNG in the amount equivalent to 250 billion cubic feet, Dominion said that the commissioning cargoes could be delayed up to six months maximum.

Dominion Cove Point LNG filed its request at the end of November last year, that the amount of LNG exported, prior to the start of commercial operations, would not exceed 250 billion cubic feet of natural gas per year.

The company intends to source these commissioning volumes from domestically produced natural gas and/or from LNG previously imported by vessel at the Cove Point LNG terminal from foreign sources, and requests authorization allowing for both possibilities.

DOE called for public comments on the blanket authorization request, with final submission date set for May 12, 2017.

Once it is completed, the liquefaction facility will have the capacity to produce 5.25 million metric tons of liquefied natural gas per year.

The production capacity has been fully subscribed with Pacific Summit Energy, a U.S. unit of Sumitomo Corporation, as well as with GAIL Global (USA) LNG, a U.S. unit of the India’s utility GAIL, under 20-year terminal service agreements.

The project has recently been authorized to introduce fuel gas and commission the power block area at the LNG export facility.

LNG World News Staff