Cheniere Energy delays first exports of US LNG

Cheniere Energy Partners expects to export the first LNG commissioning cargo from its Sabine Pass liquefaction project in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, in late February or March.

The first commissioning cargo was initially expected to occur by late January.

Construction for Train 1 was completed well ahead of the guaranteed contractual schedule and within budget. However, instrumentation issues were discovered during the final phases of plant commissioning and cool down that will require some additional work over the next few weeks.

"We are now expecting the first cargo in late February or March," said Neal Shear, interim president and CEO. "With construction of Train 1 finished, we remain well ahead of the guaranteed contractual schedule with Bechtel and anticipate no issues in meeting all contractual targets and guaranteed completion dates.

"Additionally, construction for Trains 2-5 continues to be on an accelerated schedule and these trains are expected to come on-line on a staggered basis," he added.

According to Bechtel, "Bechtel has been continually working towards completing the first unit and working through a few items that will provide assurance to Cheniere Partners that plant reliability and performance will be as expected. These last few items are in final resolution and full LNG production is planned for late February 2016."