An LNG tanker docked along the Mississippi River on Nov. 18—possibly the long-awaited signal that Venture Global’s Plaquemines LNG plant is close to starting operations.

The Venture Bayou, one of Venture Global’s new LNG tankers, docked at the Plaquemines LNG location along the river, south of New Orleans, according to the ship-tracking site VesselFinder.com.

Less than two weeks ago, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) gave Venture Global permission to introduce natural gas into its “fuel gas and warm flare” systems on Nov. 6. The procedure was a necessary step in the plant’s start-up process.

The Venture Bayou and the Venture Gator, another one of Venture Global’s LNG tankers, were both anchored outside the Mississippi River’s mouth when the FERC approved the permits. On Nov. 18, Venture Gator remained in the Gulf of Mexico at the same location.

The company announced the creation of a nine-vessel LNG tanker fleet in March.

Plaquemines LNG is a 20-million metric tons per annum facility that will, when fully operational, draw 3.32 Bcf/d of natural gas to manufacture super-chilled LNG. Upon completion, the plant will be the second-largest in the U.S.

Plaquemines LNG location
Plaquemines LNG location. (Source: Rextag)

Venture Global did not answer Hart Energy’s request for comment. 

Whether production at Plaquemines begins or not, Venture Global has already made recent news. The company is preparing to launch an initial public offering in the near future, Bloomberg reported on Nov. 13.

Once the Plaquemines LNG facility begins operations, Venture Global will become the second-largest LNG producer in the U.S., second only to Cheniere Energy. The U.S. is expected to more than double its LNG over the next three years, drawing on an abundant natural gas supply created by the development of shale plays.

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