Cheniere Energy Inc. on Thursday received FERC approval to begin site preparation that would expand the send-out capacity of its Sabine Pass, LA liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving terminal to 4 Bcf/d from 2.6 Bcf/d.

Through its limited partnership Sabine Pass LNG LP, Cheniere began construction on the Sabine receiving terminal in March 2005 (see Daily GPI, March 11, 2005). Located in western Cameron Parish, LA, initial start-up of the 2.6 Bcf/d facility is targeted for early 2008. In July 2005, Sabine sought authorization from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to expand the terminal’s capacity to 4 Bcf/d, which was approved in June (see Daily GPI, June 16). The expansion is expected to be completed in 2009.

Two other Cheniere limited partnerships, Creole Trail LNG LP and Cheniere Creole Trail Pipeline LP, were approved in June to site, construct and operate a 3.3 Bcf/d LNG receiving terminal and associated pipelines. The Creole Trail LNG receiving terminal will be located in central Cameron Parish, LA at the mouth of the Calcasieu channel. The Creole Trail pipeline system consists of dual 42-inch-diameter gas pipelines designed to interconnect with more than 12 Bcf/d of interstate and intrastate pipeline infrastructure in southwest Louisiana.

Cheniere, which also operates as an independent oil and gas producer in the shallow offshore, is developing a platform of three, 100%-owned LNG receiving terminal projects along the Gulf Coast. Together, the three terminals will have an aggregate send-out capacity of 9.9 Bcf/d. Cheniere said plans to leverage its terminal platform by pursuing related LNG business opportunities both upstream and downstream of the terminals.

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