Qatar-Exxon LNG Plant Marks First Production From Texas Facility

The Texas joint venture between QatarEnergy and Exxon Mobil Corp. has started liquefied natural gas production from the first of its three trains at the facility, marking a major milestone for US exports of the fuel as global supplies dwindle.

The move sets the stage for Golden Pass LNG to deliver its first cargo from its facilities located in Sabine Pass, Texas, QatarEnergy said in a statement Monday. Global exports from the 18 million tons per annum project are now expected to start in the second quarter of this year.

Golden Pass, a terminal near the Texas-Louisiana border, is poised to be a critical source of supply after Iran strikes damaged Qatar’s giant Ras Laffan facility on the Persian Gulf. Traders had been closely following the project as it is one of a few gas export facilities on the US Gulf Coast that are close to being completed.

Exxon Chief Executive Officer Darren Woods said in January that the first LNG from Golden Pass was likely to be produced “in very early March.” Final investment decision for the project — a 70%-30% partnership between QatarEnergy and ExxonMobil — was announced in 2019.