WorldWide Drilling Resource

23 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® MAY 2019 Increased LNG Production Leads to New Export Facility Adapted from Information by Golden Pass Products and the U.S. Energy Information Administration The Golden Pass LNG (liquefied natural gas) facility in Sabine Pass, Texas, is one of the largest LNG facilities in the world, and it’s about to get even bigger. Golden Pass Products, a partnership of Qatar Petroleum and ExxonMobil affiliates, is ex- panding its terminal with the export project. The current facility is only set up to import LNG; this venture will allow the facility to import and export natural gas. Advances in directional drilling and hydraulic fracturing have led to an abundance of LNG for the U.S. In fact, the country began exporting LNG in February 2016, and according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, export capacity is expected to more than double by the end of this year. This endeavor, an investment of over $10 billion, will include three liquefaction trains, three miles of new 24-inch pipeline to accommodate bidirectional flow capability, and additional com- pressor stations built on existing infrastructure. The project will also include upgrades to utility systems, interconnections to the existing facility, and expansion of the facility’s storm protection levee system. Construction has begun and is expected to take about five years. The engineering, procurement, and construction contracts for the project have been awarded to Chiyoda International Corporation, McDermott International Inc., and Zachry Group. “Our team has worked diligently on the design, development, and permitting for this world-class LNG export facility, and we are eager to begin construction to bring this exciting project to life,” Sean Ryan, president of Golden Pass Products said. Texas Governor Gregg Abbott, is excited for the investment. “Texas is proud that Golden Pass has chosen to expand its operations in Sabine Pass. This expansion represents not only an investment in creating jobs and growing our state’s economy, but also in expanding our nation’s international export reach and energy independence. I look forward to building upon our strong relationship with Golden Pass to keep Texas an energy leader at home and abroad,” he stated. Throughout the construction phase, it will support roughly 9000 construction jobs. Once operational, the facility should be able to export around 16 million tons of LNG per year and provide more than 200 permanent jobs. Darren Woods, chairman and CEO of ExxonMobil; H.E. Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Minister of State for Energy Affairs, president and CEO of Qatar Petroleum; and U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Rick Perry stand behind Golden Pass President Sean C. Ryan and Enable Midstream Partners CEO Rod Sailor as they sign a transportation agreement for the Golden Pass LNG Export project. DIR