Freeport LNG Train 2 produces first natural gas

McDermott International and its partners Chiyoda International and Zachry have announced the start of first liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Train 2 at the Freeport LNG export facility in Texas, US.

The liquefaction project is located in Texas Quintana Island in Freeport, Texas.

McDermott International and its joint venture (JV) partners hold the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract on the three-train 15Mtpa base.

McDermott International North, Central and South America senior vice-president Mark Coscio said: “First liquid for Train 2 is another great accomplishment for the Freeport LNG project.”

“As we progress to first cargo for Train 2, we applaud the diligence and commitment of the project team for driving Freeport LNG toward a safe completion.”

The second and third trains are on schedule. Initial LNG production from Train 3 is expected during the first quarter of next year.

In 2011, JV lead Zachry engaged McDermott for the pre-FEED, followed by front-end engineering and design (FEED) works to support the project’s early development stage.

Chiyoda later joined the partnership for work related to Train 3.

The liquefaction project comprises three pre-treatment trains, a liquefaction facility with three trains, and a second loading berth. A 165,000m³ full containment LNG storage tank is also part of the project.

In September, Freeport LNG Development raised more than $1bn to add a fourth production unit to its export terminal on Quintana Island after selecting KBR as the preferred bidder for the engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning contract for Train 4 in May.

The first train of the Freeport LNG Liquefaction project reached the final commissioning stage in July.