Cheniere Reports Smaller Loss, Plans more LNG, Pipelines

US LNG operator Cheniere Energy reported November 3 a net loss of $100.4mn for the three months ended September 30, 2016, compared with a net loss of $297.8mn for the comparable 2015 period.

Total operating costs and expenses were up by $332.3mn and $452.7mn during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 year on year, "generally as a result of the commencement of operations of Train 1 and Train 2 of the Sabine Pass Liquefaction Project in May and September 2016," it said.

It also said the previously announced planned outage to improve performance of the flare systems at Sabine Pass, as well as to perform scheduled maintenance to Train 1 and other facilities, was completed on schedule and budget.  

Vessel loading at Sabine Pass

(Credit: Cheniere)

It also said that it was exploring the development of a midscale liquefaction project using electric drive modular trains, with an expected aggregate nominal production capacity of about 9.5mn mt/yr of LNG. Cheniere has completed a competitive bidding process and awarded a front-end engineering and design contract to a consortium consisting of KBR, Siemens and Chart Industries.

Cheniere has also proposed the development of the Midcontinent Supply Header Interstate Pipeline (Midship), connecting new gas production in the Anadarko Basin to Gulf Coast markets. Midship is being contemplated for up to 1.4bn ft³/d of capacity and would facilitate gas supply for both the Sabine Pass and the Corpus Christi LNG projects. If all goes well, building work could start in 2018.

William Powell