Venture Global announced the commencement of commercial operations at its inaugural LNG export facility, Calcasieu Pass, alongside the start of low-cost U.S. LNG sales to its long-term customers. Achieving this milestone just 68 months after taking a final investment decision, Calcasieu Pass ranks among the fastest greenfield LNG projects ever completed.
The project’s multi-billion-dollar contracts are expected to deliver a significant positive impact on the US balance of trade, particularly with several European allies. Calcasieu Pass’ innovative design — featuring a series of mid-scale, modular liquefaction trains and process facilities delivered and installed sequentially — coupled with Venture Global’s owner-led approach to construction, allowed the project to overcome a series of major challenges, including a global pandemic, two hurricanes, and a force majeure event related to critical manufacturing issues in the facility’s power island.
Following a comprehensive, multi-year rectification and remediation programme focused on key components of the facility, Calcasieu Pass is now fully prepared to operate safely and reliably. The project’s design, which incorporates redundancy features, has further strengthened its operational resilience.
Mike Sabel, CEO of Venture Global, commented, “I am incredibly proud of our team who have worked relentlessly and diligently to successfully construct and commission our first LNG project. We are excited to reach this milestone and are grateful for our regulators and supply chain partners who have worked with our team to achieve commercial operations as efficiently and safely as possible.”
Throughout construction, Calcasieu Pass maintained an exemplary safety record, significantly outperforming the industry average Total Recordable Incident Rate, as defined by the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics for the Heavy Construction Industry.
The long-term sale and purchase agreements at Calcasieu Pass are among the most competitive globally, with average liquefaction fees under $2 per million British thermal units. Long-term customers are set to benefit from access to low-cost North American LNG throughout the full duration of their 20-year contracts.
For more information visit www.ventureglobalLNG.com
