Golden Pass LNG, a joint venture of Qatar Petroleum and Exxon Mobil, is seeking approval from U.S. federal energy regulators to boost capacity at its $10 billion export facility in Texas.
The company has asked FERC to raise capacity at its terminal under construction by 2.5 million tonnes per year to a total of 18.1 mtpa.
The current project includes the construction of three liquefaction trains with each unit having a 5.2 mtpa capacity.
Should FERC approve the increase, each train will be capable of producing about 6 mtpa of LNG or 0.79 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) of natural gas.
The company said on Monday it would achieve the addition by “production efficiencies” and it will not require any equipment modifications or environmental permit adjustments, according to a report by Reuters.
“Because the capacity increase does not involve additions or adjustments to the permitted facilities, it would not result in any construction or environmental impacts beyond those previously identified” by FERC, Golden Pass said.
Golden Pass is owned by units of LNG producing giant Qatar Petroleum witha a 70 per cent stake and U.S. oil major Exxon Mobil with a 30 per cent share.
It aims to start the first liquefaction train in 2024 with the second unit expected to follow six-to-eight months after that.
A joint venture consisting of Chiyoda, McDermott, and Zachry Group is responsible for the construction of the LNG export project.
Siemens Gas and Power has also recently secured a contract from the venture to supply three cryogenic boil-off gas compressor trains for the LNG project.