Zachry, CB&I, Chiyoda to build Freeport LNG train

Zachry Industrial, along with its joint venture partners CB&I and Chiyoda, has been awarded a contract to build the third train of the Freeport LNG (FLNG) natural gas liquefaction and export facility on Quintana Island, near Freeport, Texas.

Upon completion, the three-train facility will have a total export capacity in excess of 13.9 million tpy of liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Zachry was the constructor of Freeport LNG’s original regasification terminal at this location, which was completed in 2008. A substantial increase in domestic natural gas production followed, making LNG export an attractive commercial alternative.

Freeport LNG awarded contracts in 2013 to a joint venture between Zachry and CB&I, supported by Chiyoda, to perform project development, engineering, procurement, and construction services for the first two trains of the liquefaction project.

Following regulatory approval, construction of trains one and two began in November 2014. Chiyoda joins the Zachry-CB&I joint venture in developing the third train, which is slated to bring the facility to its full capacity in 2019.

“This contract is the direct result of our work on the original project and the relationships we have forged with FLNG and our partners,” said Zachry senior vice president and director of projects Steve Dedman. “We work well together and value the importance of that as we engage in a project of this magnitude.”

At its peak, the Freeport LNG work will employ a skilled workforce of more than 4,000 people. With two other large-scale projects underway in Brazoria County, Zachry anticipates being able to draw on its existing pool of employees as these projects near completion and the staffing levels of the LNG project increase.

“This is an attractive opportunity for craft workers,” said Zachry's construction group president Ralph Biediger. “It also gives us a major advantage to work with seasoned Zachry employees who understand our processes and know how to work safely.”

Zachry says it will continue its practice of recruiting and hiring additional employees required to meet project demands from the workforce residing in the Gulf Coast area. The company will also extend its history of local community involvement, creating employee volunteer opportunities that deliver a meaningful impact.