With its most recent U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) approval, Venture Global Calcasieu Pass LLC has been authorized to export up to 620 Bcf/year of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from its planned Louisiana terminal to free trade agreement (FTA) countries.

Last week, DOE issued its third FTA export authorization, adding 132.8 Bcf/year to the previously approved 487.2 Bcf/year. The project now has been authorized to export volumes equivalent to its potential peak liquefaction capacity, according to DOE’s order [15-25-LNG]. Venture Global applied to export the additional volumes in February (see Daily GPI, Feb. 27; Oct. 22, 2013).

The project, to be sited in Cameron Parish, LA, could begin operations by mid-2019.

Gas to be liquefied for export would be sourced domestically over the U.S. pipeline grid from conventional and unconventional plays. The terminal would be near pipelines operated by Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co., ANR Pipeline Co., Bridgeline Holdings LP, Columbia Gulf Transmission Co. and Natural Gas Pipeline Co. of America (see Daily GPI, Dec. 10, 2014; Oct. 22, 2013).