Venture Global LNG's Plaquemines Plant Nears Test Phase with Arrival of First Tanker

A Malta-flagged LNG tanker, Qogir, has docked at Venture Global's Plaquemines export plant in Louisiana, signaling an impending test phase. This will make Venture Global the second largest LNG exporter in the U.S. and the Plaquemines facility the second largest LNG export plant. The plant's first phase completion is expected between 2024-2026.

A Malta-flagged LNG tanker named Qogir has arrived at Venture Global's Plaquemines export plant in Louisiana, signaling the facility's potential startup in test mode soon. The vessel journeyed from Norway, docking at the U.S port as confirmed by the company and shipping data from LSEG.

When fully operational, the Plaquemines plant will catapult Venture Global to the position of the second-largest LNG exporter in the U.S., with the plant becoming the nation's second-largest LNG export facility. The capacity will be an impressive 20 million metric tons per annum (MTPA) of superchilled gas.

The LNG plants like Plaquemines utilize superchilled fuel for testing and cooling equipment in preparation for operations. Analysts project that Plaquemines, which began importing small amounts of natural gas in mid-2023, could initiate LNG production in test mode in the coming months. Venture Global has sought regulatory approval to introduce gas to a turbine as part of the testing process.