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Pipeline deliveries to U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminals spiked last week, surpassing 8 Bcf/d as Kinder Morgan Inc.’s Elba Island facility in Georgia sent its first cargo overseas.

After commissioning the first five of 10 small liquefaction trains and battling through mechanical issues, the cargo left late Friday (Dec. 13). KMI spokesperson Melissa Ruiz told NGI that after problems with valves in the loading arms at the facility, crews moved the ship to an alternate dock to expedite the transfer of LNG from the terminal to the vessel.

Feed gas deliveries to U.S. LNG terminals remained high in the days before the milestone at Elba Island and were at about 8.24 Bcf/d on Monday, according to NGI’s LNG Export Tracker.

The elevated volumes come after a busy stretch for U.S. exports, which increased during the week ending Dec. 11. Fourteen vessels, including seven from Sabine Pass, two each from Corpus Christi, Cameron and Freeport, along with one from Cove Point, left the country with a combined carrying capacity of 51 Bcf. That’s up from the previous week when 10 ships carrying 36 Bcf left U.S. shores, according to the Energy Information Administration.

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