Venture Global LNG lifted the roof on its second LNG storage tank as it continues to advance construction work at its liquefaction export facility in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, with an eye on operations commencing next year.

The roof raising was achieved ahead of schedule and just seven weeks after it raised the roof on tank one, the Arlington, Virginia-based company announced in an April 17 press release. Two more storage tanks are planned.

“Today represents another major milestone in the construction of Plaquemines LNG, with both roofs now raised for the tanks serving Phase One,” Venture Global LNG CEO Mike Sabel said in the release. “With Phase One deep into construction and our recent FID [final investment decision] and full notice to proceed on Phase Two, Plaquemines is well positioned to be the next new major LNG capacity to reach the global market.”

Russia’s war in Ukraine and the subsequent gas shortage in Europe have highlighted the importance of U.S. LNG exports. Existing U.S. LNG projects, as well as others under construction and nearing completion — including Plaquemines LNG and Golden Pass — will only assist the U.S. in boosting the supply of much-needed gas to countries worldwide as the war rages on.

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Plaquemines LNG is located approximately 20 miles south of New Orleans and is being developed in two phases. When fully completed it will have an export capacity of up to 20 million metric tons per year or around 2.6 Bcf/d, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Phase One will consist of twenty-four 0.626-trains with the potential to produce 13.3 million tonnes per annum (mtpa), or 1.8 Bcf/d, of LNG in 2024, according to the EIA. Phase Two will consist of twelve 0.626 trains with potential to produce 6.7 mtpa (0.9 Bcf/d) in 2025.

Second tank of four at Plaquemines LNG

Plaquemines LNG, being built on a 630-acre site located on the Mississippi River, will have up to four 200,000 cu. m-full containment LNG storage tanks.

The roof for the second storage tank weighs 900 tons and is 294 ft in diameter. It was raised in 71 minutes to a wall height of 130 ft using 0.3 pounds per square inch pressure underneath the roof, according to Global Venture.

The storage tank will eventually have an inner tank made from 9% nickel alloy and an outer wall and outer roof made from concrete to provide full containment of the LNG and provide the maximum level of resilience and safety, the company said.