Last Friday, US Federal regulators granted Venture Global LNG permission to begin preparations for the start-up of the LNG equipment at its Plaquemines export plant in Louisiana.
A loaded LNGC has been berthed at Plaquemines since late August, according to Venture Global LNG and data from LSEG.
Her cargo is expected to be used to cool down the equipment to enable the startup of initial operations.
Venture Global said it expects Plaquemines’ first phase to begin exporting LNG later this year.
Meanwhile, replying to Shell’s accusation of holding back LNG from companies that had signed long term offtake contracts, the company said: “Shell’s paid propaganda targeting Venture Global recycles the same false accusations that have exhausted governments, regulatory agencies and the public on both sides of the Atlantic.
“To be clear, Venture Global is honouring its contractual obligations to its long term customers in strict conformity with its long term contracts,” a company spokes-woman said on social media.
“Due to our ability to produce first LNG during construction, we have been uniquely positioned to bring incremental molecules into the market, which lowers prices, not raises them,” she stressed, adding; “We have delivered when others have failed, especially Shell, which has been critical in keeping the global LNG market well supplied.
“Instead of devoting their time and resources disparaging Venture Global, perhaps Shell should focus on completing their long delayed facility in Canada, which leaves the market short of over 450 cargoes and will cost global customers and consumers, including Europe, an estimated $22 bill,” she concluded.
