McDermott, Chiyoda and Zachry Group Announce First Cargo from Freeport LNG Train 2

• First cargo of liquefied natural gas shipped from Train 2 of the Freeport LNG project
• Project team maintains a continuous focus on safety and quality
• Accomplishment is a precursor to substantial completion of Train 2

Below is the full press release from McDermott

HOUSTON, Dec. 18, 2019 McDermott International, Inc. along with its partners, Chiyoda International Corporation and Zachry Group, announced today that the first commissioning cargo of liquefied natural gas (LNG) has been shipped from Train 2 of the Freeport LNG project on Quintana Island in Freeport, Texas. Production of LNG from Train 2 was announced on Dec. 6 and today's announcement of first cargo is a precursor to substantial completion of Train 2.

"The ongoing momentum of this project has accelerated us past multiple accomplishments, including Train 1's introduction of feed gas, first liquid and first cargo. And, we are well on our way toward commercial operation for Train 2," said Mark Coscio, McDermott's Senior Vice President for North, Central and South America. "I commend the project team for delivering these results and getting us closer to substantial completion."

Zachry Group, as the joint venture lead, partnered with McDermott for the Pre-FEED in 2011, followed by FEED works to support the early development stage of the project as a one-stop shop solution provider for Trains 1 and 2. Later Chiyoda joined the joint venture partnership for work related to Train 3. The project scope includes three pre-treatment trains, a liquefaction facility with three trains, a second loading berth and a 165,000 m3 full containment LNG storage tank.

Freeport LNG Trains 2 and 3 remain on schedule with Train 3 initial production of LNG scheduled for Q1 of 2020.

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US LNG: a snapshot of where things stand in 2018

US shale has been a game changer for the gas markets. Often overshadowed by oil story, US gas production is the unloved sibling of oil – oversupplied, low prices, unprofitable and sometimes an unwanted by-product of oil production in the form of associated gas.

However 2017 came to demonstrate the vast potential for US gas and a complete change in direction with the country becoming a net exporter of gas for the first time. This started with first export from Sabine Pass LNG in 2016 which has now grown to four liquefaction trains with trains 5 in the works.  LNG export capacity could reach 8-9bcf/d in 2020 up from the current 2bcf/d, with additional facilities already under construction:

• Cove Point commenced feed gas at the end of 2017
• Elba Island Phase I will come onstream in H1 2018 and Phase II in H1 2019
• Freeport train 1 is planned for operation in 2018 with subsequent trains coming online throughout the rest of 2018 and 2019
• Corpus Christi and Cameron will also come online towards the end of this decade

Source: EIA

US LNG has been somewhat of a disruptor – it has brought destination flexibility and shorter-term procurement to the market that was once characterised by entirely long-term, oil-price linked offtake. This will shake up the market place and how LNG sourcing will evolve is yet to be understood.

Asia is slated to be the big winner with this extra source of gas with South Korea, Japan and China being the largest importers. This is all helped by the recent expansion of the Panama Canal, enabling LNG from the US east coast to Asia with a cheaper and 11 day shorter journey time. This puts into question whether any US west coast and Canadian LNG projects will take off – very likely no in the near-term. The east coast’s proximity to upstream gas, existing pipeline infrastructure to get gas to liquefaction plants and adapted docks means it remains an advantageous location to host LNG terminals.

Related post: Canadian LNG: Wrong place wrong time for Petronas

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