Cheniere Reaches Completion on Train 2 at Corpus Christi

US operator Cheniere Energy said September 3 it had achieved substantial completion of Train 2 at its Corpus Christi Liquefaction Project (CCLP) in Texas.

Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, EPC contractor for Train 2, has turned over care, custody and control of the 4.5mn mt/yr unit to Cheniere. Under sale and purchase agreements (SPAs) with French EDF, Spain’s Iberdrola and Naturgy Energy Group, Indonesian Pertamina and Woodside Energy Trading Singapore, the date of first commercial delivery is expected to occur in May 2020, at which time the term of each SPA will begin.

Given the low spot price, it is unlikely that capacity holders will want to take early delivery of their cargoes. But Cheniere does not have to pay itself liquefaction costs so it might see a benefit from early cashflow.

Cheniere and Bechtel have now completed seven LNG trains at Cheniere’s 27mn mt/yr Sabine Pass complex in Louisiana and the 13.5mn mt/yr CCLP, all ahead of schedule and within budget. 

At Sabine Pass, five LNG trains are operating, while Train 6 is under construction. At Corpus Christi, Train 1 is operating, Train 3 is under construction and seven mid-scale trains, which will add total nominal capacity of 9.5mn mt/yr of LNG, are awaiting regulatory approval.