USA: Golden Pass LNG Terminal Announces 1st Cargo for Commissioning

The Golden Pass LNG terminal announced today that the first cargo to be used for commissioning the facilities is anticipated to arrive during October 2010.

This terminal is a joint venture owned 70% by Qatar Petroleum International (QPI), the international arm of Qatar Petroleum (QP), and the remaining by ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips. The cargo will be shipped from the Port of Ras Laffan in Qatar aboard a Q‐Flex LNG tanker, currently one of the largest LNG carriers in the world.

“The Golden Pass LNG terminal is an important investment for Qatar Petroleum International in the USA. This terminal will further expand Qatar’s global reach and provide a diverse and secure energy supply for the U.S. market,” said Qatar Deputy Premier, Minister of Energy and Industry Chairman and Managing Director of Qatar Petroleum.

“The commissioning LNG cargo will mark another notable milestone in Qatar’s worldleading LNG business,” said Saad Sherida Al‐Kaabi, Director of Qatar Petroleum’s Oil and Gas Ventures and Chairman of Golden Pass LNG. “Golden Pass LNG is looking forward to the commencement of terminal operations.

The dedication of many employees and contractors has contributed to the development of this world‐class facility,” said Raymond Jones, President, Golden Pass LNG. The Golden Pass LNG terminal includes two berths for unloading double‐hulled LNG ships; five LNG storage tanks with capacity of 155,000 cubic meters each; vaporization equipment to warm the LNG to its natural gas state; and pipeline facilities and equipment to transport the natural gas from the terminal to customers.

The Golden Pass LNG terminal will have the capacity to deliver the equivalent of 2 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas, when it reaches full operation. This represents enough natural gas to meet the average daily needs of about 10 million U.S. households.

Clean‐burning natural gas has also the potential to meet a growing share of electricity generating needs in coming decades. U.S. natural gas demand is expected to increase by over 20 percent in the next 20 years.

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Source: Golden Pass LNG, September 28, 2010