Two years ago at the Louisiana Gulf Coast Oil Exposition, Cheniere Energy promised an energy revolution.The Advertiser reports the revolution is now here.
Cheniere’s Sabine Pass Liquefaction Project in remote Cameron Parish has been transforming that corner of the state, carving out a plant site along the muddy coast, spurring massive employment and sparking wealth possibilities for the region and state.
Come January, when Cheniere ships its first cargo, probably to lead customer British Gas, it will alter the landscape for exporting natural gas around the world. According to economist Loren Scott, the projected impact of the plant on Louisiana for an eight-year period ending in 2019, when the plant is projected to become fully operational, is:
- Business sales in Louisiana will expand by more than $8.4 billion.
- Louisiana residents will have earned over $3.3 billion in wages.
- Jobs will average 6,391 over the eight years, with employment around 18,300 during peak construction.
- Louisiana’s treasury will collect more than $230 million in cumulative taxes and fees.
Cheniere spokesman Jason French, senior director of government and public affairs, says the plant is on course to make its first shipment in January. The first train—one that liquefies and purifies natural gas, compressing it before it can be shipped—will be commissioned by then, with five additional trains coming on line at the site in intervals of six to nine months by 2019.
For at least the rest of the winter months, Cheniere will take it slow with the first train, testing cargoes and processes, and getting the plant operational for commercial use by April. That’s when Cheniere will officially open the site, commemorating our country’s entry into the export LNG business “in a substantial way,” French says.
The goal in 10 years is for Cheniere to become a global giant in LNG exporting. By 2025, Cheniere plans to be buying 9 billion cubic feet of gas per day, capturing about 14% of the world market.
The Advertiser has the full story, including a rundown of how Cheniere plans to meet its goals for global LNG exporting.
