Venture Global, a US liquefied natural gas (LNG) developer, has sought approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to start operations at its Calcasieu Pass LNG export facility and TransCameron pipeline project.
This represents the final step before transitioning to commercial operations, reported Reuters.
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The company, claimed to be the second-largest LNG exporter in the US, stated that significant progress has been made in remedial work at the facility.
Venture Global believes the facility is now ready to produce at its designated capacity.
“Calcasieu Pass believes it has filed all required documentation demonstrating readiness to commence service of the remainder of the facility,” the company stated in its filing with the FERC.
Venture Global has sought FERC approval by 1 April 2025, with plans to commence commercial operations at the project by 15 April 2025.
Located in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, Calcasieu Pass LNG is Venture Global’s first facility.
The facility has been at the focus of a dispute with long-term customers including Shell, Edison, Repsol, Orlen and bp.
These companies accused Venture Global of not fulfilling long-term contracts by withholding cargoes while selling its own LNG in the spot market at premium prices.
All the long-term customers of the project filed for arbitration with the International Court of Arbitration.
Venture Global defended its actions, stating that they do not constitute profiteering.
The company argued that commercial operations at the project could not commence until issues with its power system were resolved.
The FERC application confirms that the issues with the power system have been addressed, the media outlet’s report stated.
Meanwhile, Shell CEO Wael Sawan mentioned that updates on the arbitration process with Venture Global are expected in the coming months.
During Shell’s capital markets day in New York City, Sawan noted that Venture Global has already sold 400 cargoes from its Calcasieu Pass project.
Earlier this month, Venture Global received non-free trade agreement export authorisation from the US Department of Energy for its CP2 LNG project in Cameron Parish.
The CP2 LNG terminal, situated on a 1,150-acre site adjacent to the Calcasieu Pass LNG facility, is the company’s third LNG venture.
