Freeport LNG now looks at re-start of Quintana Island plant in Texas in the second half of January 2023
Freeport LNG has updated the timing of the initial restart of its liquefaction facility on Quintana Island in Texas after repairs and refurbishment following the June 2022 fire.
“The company continues to make notable progress on its path towards the restart of liquefaction operations,” said Freeport.
“As of December 23rd, the reconstruction work necessary to commence initial operations is substantially complete, and the company is submitting responses to the last remaining questions included in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s data request,” added the company.
Freeport explained that given the time needed for the regulatory agencies to review the company’s responses and to seek any necessary clarification, Freeport LNG now does not anticipate commencing the initial restart of its liquefaction facility until the second half of January 2023.
“The company continues to have close, collaborative engagement with the regulatory agencies and that engagement will continue as Freeport LNG works towards the safe restart of its facility,” stated Freeport.
When the explosion occurred, Freeport’s Chairman and Chief Executive Michael Smith and his team had been planning for an expansion from 15 million tonnes per annum of output from three Trains to 20 MTPA with the construction of a fourth Train.
Customers
Freeport LNG's main customers include Japan’s largest importer JERA Co. Inc., the Japanese utilities Kansai Electric and Osaka Gas as well as South Korean company SK E&S and buyers in Europe.
During the first quarter of 2022 before the accident, the Freeport plant exported 55 cargoes mainly to import terminals in Europe and North Asia
Freeport shut on June 8 after a pipe failure caused an explosion due to inadequate operating and testing procedures, human error and fatigue, according to a report by consultants hired by the company to review the incident and suggest action.
Even without Freeport volumes, the amount of gas flowing to US LNG export plants hit 13.0 billion cubic feet per day last week, the most since May 2022, 10 days before the Freeport shutdown.
The Freeport closure meant the nation’s other six large-scale export plants have been operating near full capacity.
US Freeport LNG plant gives update on re-start plans in 2023 amid repairs and safety overhaul after fire
Freeport LNG has provided an update on its re-start plants stretching into the first quarter of 2023 because of repairs and production and operational changes.
