Golden Pass LNG requests 3-year extension to 2029

Golden Pass LNG Terminal LLC has requested a 3-year extension to Nov. 30, 2029, from the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, to place its 18-million tonne/year liquefaction plant near Port Arthur, Tex., into full service. The company, a joint venture of ExxonMobil Corp. and QaterEnergy, cited delays caused by the bankruptcy filing of lead contractor, Zachry Industrial Inc. in making the request.

Golden Pass described work on the three-train plant as 80% complete. Train 1, including utility and export infrastructure, is 83% finished; Train 2, 46%; and Train 3, 31%. It contemporaneously filed a request with the Department of Energy for an extension of time under both its free-trade agreement (FTA) and non-FTA export authorizations to commence commercial operations from Train 1 on Mar. 31, 2027, an extension of 18 months. Trains 2 and 3 would follow sequentially thereafter, Golden Pass said.

CB&I assumed the role of main contractor following Zachry’s withdrawal, having performed front-end engineering and design on the project with Chiyoda Corp. Work on Golden Pass’ liquefaction began in 2019.

In its filing Golden Pass said it “has obtained and maintained all required permits and authorizations and has devoted substantial resources toward expediting construction to offset the impacts on its construction timetable caused by delays due to, among other things, the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on supply chains.”