Exxon-QatarEnergy JV requests permission from US regulators to reexport LNG starting October 1.

Golden Pass LNG, owned by Exxon Mobil, QatarEnergy and others, has requested permission from U.S. regulators to re-export Liquefied Natural Gas as of October 1. This is because the export facility, after delays, is nearing production.

The company wants to reexport LNG cargos that it intends to import in order to cool down the export plant, still under construction, in Texas. The cooling down of the plant is usually the last step before LNG production.

Golden Pass plans to export LNG by the end of this year after building a 18 million metric tonnes per annum (mtpa), LNG export facility at Sabine Pass in Texas.

The project is behind schedule, over budget and plagued by problems.

Zachry Holdings filed for bankruptcy in March 2024 and stated that the project had exceeded the budget by at least $2.4 Billion.

Zachry was replaced as the lead contractor by McDermott International for Train 1. The company is in talks to take on the construction of the two other trains or plants associated with this project.

Golden Pass may become the ninth U.S. LNG supplier after it begins shipping. The U.S. exports the most LNG in the world. Reporting by Curtis Williams, Houston; editing by Jamie Freed

(source: Reuters)