Cheniere Energy Inc., which is developing three liquefied natural gas (LNG) regasification terminals along the Gulf Coast, said Friday it will begin remobilizing construction activities on its Sabine Pass, LA site in Cameron Parish on Monday. Activity should return to pre-hurricane levels within the next five to six weeks, the company said.

The Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal is being constructed along the Sabine-Neches Ship Channel, and is expected to be capable of receiving vessels of up to 250,000 cubic meters. It already is permitted by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for 2.6 Bcf/d of sendout capacity in its first phase. It also has filed with FERC to expand the sendout to 4 Bcf/d.

“Assessment of the impact from Hurricane Rita by Cheniere and its contractors and suppliers will continue, but Cheniere does not foresee any significant delay to the overall Sabine Pass construction plan,” the company said in a statement. The terminal is scheduled for start-up in early 2008, and Cheniere said some of the construction time lost because of Rita may be recovered in the future.

Prior to Rita, Cheniere secured the Sabine Pass site, and the eye of the hurricane made landfall several miles to the east. A preliminary survey found no material flooding of the site due to the site’s elevation, and wind damage was negligible. The roads also were intact and in use. Several utilities now are in the process of reestablishing water and power to the region, and some road repairs are expected to be necessary.

Cheniere noted housing for both residents and workers “is in short supply. Some temporary housing is presently available and more is being arranged.”

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