Venture Global applies for FERC approval for expansion of Plaquemines

US LNG developer Venture Global has submitted a permit application for the expansion of its Plaquemines project with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the US’s second largest LNG developer announced on November 17.

The permitting and approval application sent to federal regulators was combined with an application sent to the US Department of Energy (DOE) for export authorization for the expansion of its Plaquemines megaproject.

The announcement marks the next stage for the Plaquemines expansion. Venture Global revealed in March that it would be raising the nameplate capacity of the Louisiana project to 58mn tonnes per year (tpy) with an investment of $18bn.

The project’s current capacity is 27.2mn tpy, representing a more than doubling in output with 24 new liquefaction trains to be added to the facility.

Nevertheless, Venture Global has still yet to take a final investment decision (FID) on Phase 3 of the project, which it expects could be taken in 2027 once production of the super-chilled fuel begins at its Calcasieu Pass 2 (CP2) export terminal.

“Venture Global is pleased to announce the formal launch of the permitting process for the Plaquemines Expansion Project. Incrementally expanding Plaquemines is a logical and economically efficient opportunity to build on our strong existing infrastructure,” Venture Global CEO Mike Sabel said in a statement. 

“This strategic step provides Venture Global with the optionality to develop a scalable project that can efficiently meet market needs as they evolve. Our decision to significantly increase the project’s permitted capacity reflects the strong market demand we continue to see and this expansion will play a vital role in meeting that demand,” Sabel added.

In October, FERC approved adding natural gas into the final block in Phase 1 of the project.

Plaquemines is currently the US’s second largest LNG export terminal, trailing only Cheniere’s Sabine Pass in liquefaction capacity.