Freeport LNG Train 1 starts commercial operations

McDermott International has stated that Train 1 of the Freeport LNG plant on Quintana Island in Freeport, Texas, has begun commercial operations.

The start of commercial operations was announced in a joint statement by McDermott and its partners, Chiyoda International and Zachry Group on Monday, December 9.

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 cbm full containment LNG storage tank.

Mark Coscio, McDermott’s SVP for North, Central, and South America, said: “The past few months have brought significant accomplishments for Train 1 of the Freeport LNG project—starting with the introduction of feed gas in July, first liquid in August, shipment of first cargo in September and now commercial operation. Congratulations to the joint venture project team whose commitment to safety and quality has remained strong throughout the project.”

According to the statement, Freeport LNG Trains 2 and 3 remain on track to meet their previously announced schedules, with first liquid from Train 2 being announced on December 6 and Train 3 initial production of LNG scheduled for the first quarter of 2020.