Commonwealth LNG given positive recommendation from US Coast Guard

The US Coast Guard has provided a letter of recommendation to FERC on the Calcasieu Ship Channel’s suitability to support LNG marine traffic from the proposed Commonwealth LNG project.

The Coast Guard said that it sent a letter with a favorable recommendation for the Calcasieu Ship Channel’s suitability for increased LNG marine traffic on March 19, 2019.

Commonwealth LNG sent a letter of intent to Coast Guard Captain at Port Arthur in July 2017 and since then, Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Lake Charles worked with the applicant, port stakeholders, and emergency responders to “assess the safety and security measures needed to facilitate increased LNG carrier vessel traffic on the Calcasieu Ship Channel.”

Following a review, the Coast Guard stated that the applicable portions of the waterway were currently suitable for the LNG marine traffic associated with the Commonwealth LNG project.

Commonwealth LNG initially filed in its draft Resource Report 13 to FERC for the proposed LNG export facility in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, back in December 2018.

The 8.4 mtpa LNG export plant will be located on the western shore at the mouth of the Calcasieu Ship Channel. At the time of submission, the company said that it expected final acceptance from FERC in early April this year.

If all goes according to plan, Commonwealth LNG expects to start operations at the plant in the first quarter of 2024.

To clarify, FERC is responsible for authorizing the siting, construction, and operation of onshore LNG facilities.

Once FERC completes their review of an application for an LNG facility, the Commission is required to complete an environmental impact statement (EIS). The Coast Guard will serve as a cooperating agency for FERC’s EIS.