US regulator the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has authorised Freeport LNG to bring online a part of its export facility in Texas.

The FERC has allowed the LNG producer to restart Phase II facilities, which comprise LNG Loop 2 and Dock 2 for ship loading.

Following a fire, Freeport's facility was closed for almost eight months, from June 2022 until February 2023.

Resuming full operation enables the facility to supply additional LNG to international markets ahead of the winter season, when Northern Hemisphere’s natural gas demand spikes, reported Reuters.

In a statement, the FERC said: “This approval is based on a review of the written request filed on 17 November 2023, previous submittals and supplements filed in response to certain actions taken to address the root and contributing causes identified as a result of the 8 June 2022 incident as well as satisfactory progression of cooldown activities, including remedial actions taken during cooldown.”

All relevant plans, procedures and mitigating measures outlined in Freeport LNG's prior submittals must be adhered to, the regulator said, adding that any modifications can only be made following approvals.

Freeport could not be reached for a comment on the approval, the publication said.

During the summer of 2022, as Russia was cutting back on its gas supply to Europe following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, gas prices worldwide surged to all-time highs in both Europe and Asia, partly because of the shutdown of Freeport LNG.

Freeport recommissioned its three liquefaction trains, two LNG storage tanks and berth (Dock 1) during the first phase of its restart efforts.

The LNG producer is yet to receive clearance to recommission its LNG Tank 3 into service.

At maximum capacity, Freeport LNG's three liquefaction trains can convert roughly 2.1 billion cubic feet of gas per day into LNG.