Freeport LNG gets Train 4 non-FTA export approval from DOE

US LNG export terminal developer Freeport LNG has received approval from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for the export of Train 4 volumes to non-free trade agreement countries.

Freeport LNG’s fourth liquefaction train is part of the company’s existing natural gas liquefaction and LNG export facility on Quintana Island near Freeport, Texas.

The company recently received approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to site, construct and operate its fourth train.

Freeport LNG’s Train 4 is expected to add over 5 million tonnes per annum of LNG production to its existing project, increasing the total export capability of the four-train facility to over 20 mtpa.

Approximately 13.5 mtpa of this capacity was contracted under 20-year tolling agreements to Osaka Gas Trading & Export, JERA Energy America, BP, Toshiba America LNG, and SK E&S LNG, and approximately 0.5 mtpa was contracted to Trafigura PTE under a 3-year sale and purchase agreement beginning in 2020.

Michael Smith, chairman and CEO of Freeport LNG, said, “We appreciate the DOE’s swift approval, closely coupled with the recent FERC approval, which enables us to further advance our project development and marketing efforts for Train 4.”

Freeport LNG added that Train 4 operations were anticipated to begin in 2023. Its export facility currently consists of three liquefaction trains, with Train 1 scheduled for commercial startup in the third quarter of 2019, and full three-train commercial operations anticipated by mid-2020.