FERC has authorized Venture Global LNG Inc. to load its first liquefied natural gas (LNG) export cargo from its Calcasieu Pass terminal in Louisiana. 

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission cleared the terminal’s first commissioning cargo Friday, one week after the company requested authorization to load an LNG tanker on or after February 9. 

The Greece-flagged vessel, Yiannis, was moored at Calcasieu Pass on Friday after arriving Feb. 7 ahead of the milestone. The ship had not yet declared a destination on Friday.

Calcasieu Pass produced first LNG at the terminal on Jan. 19 after the Commission’s Jan. 12 approval to introduce feed gas, mixed refrigerant and LNG to liquefaction Block 1A and a storage tank at the plant in Cameron Parish on the Calcasieu Ship Channel.

The company is installing 18 modular liquefaction trains in nine blocks. It received authorization last fall to begin commissioning the first of those blocks after winding down peak construction earlier in the year. FERC on February 8 granted the company’s request to commission the Block 4 liquefaction modules. 

Calcasieu Pass becomes the seventh U.S. terminal to produce the super-chilled fuel for export since a vessel left Cheniere Energy Inc.’s Sabine Pass terminal in Louisiana carrying the Lower 48’s first LNG cargo for overseas markets in 2016.