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Golden Pass LNG Loads First Cargo for Export
3 Apr
Summary
- The HL Sea Eagle tanker is set to load the first LNG cargo.
- Golden Pass is a joint venture between QatarEnergy and Exxon Mobil.
- The plant is one of the largest U.S. LNG export facilities.
The HL Sea Eagle tanker is expected to arrive at the Golden Pass export terminal in Texas on April 20 to load the plant's first cargo of liquefied natural gas for export. This milestone vessel, chartered by Exxon Mobil, is currently sailing from Greece and is anticipated to reach the U.S. Gulf Coast in approximately 18 days.
Golden Pass, a significant joint venture between QatarEnergy and Exxon Mobil, is poised to become one of the nation's largest LNG export plants, with an intended capacity surpassing 18 million metric tons per year upon full operation. The facility commenced production late last month, and its initial liquefaction train is projected to yield about 6 million tonnes annually at maximum output.
On Wednesday, U.S. federal regulators granted Golden Pass authorization to export its commissioning cargoes. The terminal recently increased its natural gas intake for LNG conversion, drawing 434 million cubic feet per day, a 25% rise from the previous day's 298 million cubic feet per day. While the destination of the first cargo and the recipient owner remain undisclosed, QatarEnergy is anticipated to supply some LNG cargoes to Italy in the coming months to fulfill contracted volumes.
