Federal regulators have signed off on Freeport LNG Development LP’s request to begin cooling part of its transfer equipment, an early step to eventually restarting the 2.38 Bcf/d terminal.

Freeport LNG

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission informed Freeport Thursday it would grant its request to begin cooling its Loop 1 liquefied natural gas transfer system after a series of inspections and consultation with the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. The company may now begin the 11-day process.

However, FERC’s Andrew Kohout, director of LNG facility review and inspection, wrote Freeport would need to submit daily reports and meet further review requirements before it has permission to restart the liquefaction trains and transfer LNG to one of its...