Cameron LNG pipeline ready to start some new additions

Sempra Energy is seeking authorization to place into service some new infrastructure on its Cameron Interstate Pipeline (CIP) that would send gas to the Cameron LNG export terminal along the US Gulf coast.

The Cameron LNG export project, located along the Calcasieu channel near Hackberry, Louisiana, is scheduled to come on line in mid-2018 and reach full production in 2019.

CIP yesterday told the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) it has completed some of the work to add 2.4 Bcf/d (68mn m³/d) of bidirectional services to provide gas to the export project. It said it has a contractual arrangement with Cameron LNG to provide transportation services via the new facilities starting on 1 April, and asked FERC to authorize placing the new infrastructure in service by that date.

The new facilities include 3.58 miles (5.76km) of 36-inch (91cm) diameter header pipeline, the Holbrook compressor station in southwest Louisiana, modifications to meter stations at CIP's connections with the Tennessee Gas pipeline and Texas Eastern Transmission interstate systems, and installation of a metering station and CIP's connection with the LNG export terminal.

The export project is being built at the site of the existing Cameron LNG import terminal, which is connected to five interstate pipelines via the 36-mile (58km) CIP.

San Diego-based Sempra owns CIP and the import terminal, and has a controlling 50.2pc stake in the export project.

FERC in June 2014 authorized construction of the $10bn export project.

The three liquefaction trains being built at Cameron LNG would have combined peak liquefaction capacity of 15mn t/yr, equivalent to 2.1 Bcf/d of gas. Train 1 is scheduled to come on line in mid-2018, train 2 in late 2018 and train 3 in mid-2019.

France's Engie and Japanese trading houses Mitsubishi and Mitsui each own 16.6pc of the export project, for a combined 49.8pc. Each of those three companies also has contracted for 20 years for 4mn t/yr of export capacity from trains 1-3.