FERC on Wednesday authorized the addition of liquefied natural gas (LNG) liquefaction and export facilities, as well as related pipeline modifications, at the existing Golden Pass Products LLC import terminal near Sabine Pass, TX.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission granted a certificate for Golden Pass Pipeline LLC [CP14-518], which plans to make its existing pipeline bidirectional in order to deliver feed gas for liquefaction and export from the terminal [CP14-517].

The liquefaction project would add to the existing terminal three liquefaction trains (with each capable of producing 5.2 million tons per annum of LNG), a truck unloading facility, refrigerant and condensate storage, safety and control systems, and associated infrastructure; supply dock and alternate marine delivery facilities; 2.6 miles of a 24-inch diameter pipeline loop adjacent to the existing Golden Pass pipeline; three new compressor stations; five new pipeline interconnections and modifications at existing pipeline interconnections; and miscellaneous appurtenant facilities.

Qatar Petroleum International owns a 70% interest in the export project, with ExxonMobil Corp. owning a 30% interest.

Following a final decision on investment, the liquefaction and export project would cost about $10 billion and take about five years to build. The cost of the pipeline project is estimated at $383 million. The export project received U.S. Department of Energy authorization for exports to Free Trade Agreement (FTA) countries in October 2012 and awaits DOE authorization to export to non-FTA nations.

FERC staff granted the project a favorable environmental impact statement last July, with which the Commission concurred in its Wednesday order.

The Golden Pass LNG import project began in November 2003. Construction of the Golden Pass Pipeline was completed in 2009, followed by completion of the terminal construction in 2010. Golden Pass received its first LNG import cargo in October 2010.