FERC approves Calcasieu Pass LNG project construction

US LNG export project developer Venture Global LNG has on Thursday received a regulatory permit to site, construct and operate the Calcasieu Pass LNG export project in Louisiana. 

In its order, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said it has given the authorization to build the LNG export facility and the East Lateral project, consisting of approximately 23.4 miles of 42-inch-diameter pipeline and related facilities extending from the Grand Chenier station in Cameron Parish.

The project is capable of providing up to 2,125,000 dekatherms per day (Dth/d) of natural gas transportation service.

The approval comes after Venture Global requested ‘urgent action’ by FERC on mid-January.

The Venture Global Calcasieu Pass project has secured binding 20-year offtake agreements for 8 metric tonnes per annum of LNG export capacity, with Shell, BP, Edison, Galp, Repsol and PGNiG.

In its January statement, Venture Global noted it is ready to commence construction of this multi-billion dollar project as soon as authorized by the commission.

The facility is based on mid-scale liquefaction technology with nine 1.2 million ton liquefaction blocks and two 200,000 cubic meter full containment LNG storage tanks. Additionally, its marine terminal will accommodate carriers up to 185,000 cubic meters in capacity. It will also include a lateral pipeline interconnecting with major interstate and intrastate natural gas pipelines.