Dominion permitted to progress Cove Point LNG commissioning

The US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has granted permission to Dominion to begin the next phase of commissioning at the Cove Point liquefaction project. 

According to a FERC filing, the commission has permitted commissioning activities including the introduction of hazardous fluids and activities related to mixed refrigerants propane refrigeration systems, LNG piping to the existing LNG tanks, and permanent fuel gas piping as well as all supporting systems.

The commission ordered Dominion to file weekly reports on the ongoing commissioning activities once LNG is produced until it authorizes the commencement of the service.

The authorization, however, does not grant approval for commencement of service. Dominion must receive written authorization before placing the project into service.

Such authorization will only be granted following a determination that the facilities have been constructed in accordance with the commission order and applicable standards, can be expected to operate safely as designed.

In August, the company said it will have a period of sustained LNG production during the fourth quarter before it starts commercial operations later in the year.

In September, Dominion Energy has been granted by FERC to introduce feed gas and perform related commissioning activities for the pre-treatment and liquefaction areas and for equipment related to ship loading, including the LNG loading pumps and the return-gas blowers.

Once completed, the liquefaction facility being built at Dominion’s existing LNG terminal 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 India’s utility GAIL, under 20-year terminal service agreements.

LNG World News Staff