The first LNG production at the 18.1mn t/yr (2.4bn ft³/d) Golden Pass export terminal in Texas appears imminent as the terminal operator seeks federal approval to run natural gas through more of the facility's equipment.
The three-train terminal, a joint venture between QatarEnergy and ExxonMobil, is seeking authorization from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to run gas through more of train 1's equipment including the cold end, which is often one of the final steps before LNG production begins.
Feedgas nominations to Golden Pass have remained at elevated levels since 19 February as the terminal works to begin LNG production by early March (see chart). Flows have averaged 249mn ft³/d since then, compared with just 7.4mn ft³/d between 1 October and 18 February. Nominations for the 24-hour gas day, beginning at 10am ET on 24 February, were about 260mn ft³, although the volume may be revised throughout the day.
When producing, the terminal will be the ninth large-scale LNG export terminal to operate in the US and seventh on the Gulf coast.
