Learn more about Hart Energy Conferences
Get our latest conference schedules, updates and insights straight to your inbox.
U.S. LNG company Cheniere Energy Inc. received permission from federal regulators on June 8 to return one of two shut storage tanks to service at its Sabine Pass LNG export plant in Louisiana following a leak in 2018.
Specifically, the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) granted Cheniere's request "to commence cooldown of LNG Tank S-101."
The U.S. Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) ordered Cheniere to shut two LNG storage tanks on Feb. 8, 2018, after plant workers on Jan. 22, 2018, discovered a 1- to 6-ft crack in one tank that leaked fuel into an outer layer.
During the investigation of the Sabine site, PHMSA discovered a second tank had also experienced releases of LNG from the inner tank.
FERC and PHMSA have said tank S-103, the other tank shut in 2018, will remain out of service until the regulators authorize its return.
In October 2021, Cheniere agreed to pay the PHMSA's proposed $1.5 million penalty for alleged violations related to the 2018 leak.
The five tanks at Sabine can hold the equivalent of 3.4 Bcf of gas each, or 17 Bcf in total. 1 Bcf of gas is enough to fuel about 5 million U.S. homes for a day.
Cheniere is the biggest U.S. buyer of natural gas and the biggest U.S. exporter of LNG with the capacity to produce about 53 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of LNG at its two facilities: Corpus Christi in Texas and Sabine. That is equivalent to almost 7 Bcf/d of natural gas.
The company is also developing the 11.5-mtpa Corpus Christi Stage III expansion and is expected to make a final investment decision to build the project later this year.
Recommended Reading
Trans Mountain Pipeline Announces Delay for Technical Issues
2024-01-29 - The Canadian company says it is still working for a last listed in-service date by the end of 2Q 2024.
Why Investors Should Keep an Eye on Vietnam
2024-01-09 - Vietnam has become a partner with the U.S., but as a manufacturing hub and the home to one of the world’s largest cache of critical minerals, it needs power—and investment—to move forward, Energy Capital Vietnam (ECV) founder, chairman and CEO David Lewis says.
FERC: Closure of LNG Import Plant Threatens New England’s Grid
2024-01-10 - Despite record U.S. natural gas production, parts of the U.S., including New England, face difficulties finding adequate supplies for power generation.
PDVSA Contributed $6.2B to Government Coffers in 2023
2024-01-17 - Venezuela’s state-owned PDVSA contributed income equivalent to US$6.2 billion to government coffers in 2023, Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro Moros said during his annual National Assembly address.
Venture Global, Grain LNG Ink Deal to Provide LNG to UK
2024-02-05 - Under the agreement, Venture Global will have the ability to access 3 million tonnes per annum of LNG storage and regasification capacity at the Isle of Grain LNG terminal.