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Freeport LNG resumes exports in Texas as gas processing ramps-up

Posted to Maritime Reporter on July 23, 2024

Freeport LNG, the second-largest liquefied gas exporter in the United States, has resumed shipments following a shutdown of operations due to Hurricane Beryl. The processing is on track to reach half its capacity by Monday, according preliminary LSEG figures.

Beryl struck the Texas coast on 8th July, causing damages to ports and infrastructure for energy and more than 2,000,000 customers were left without power.

Freeport LNG has been slow to restart its operations since it shut down three of its liquefaction train on 7 July and reported wind damage.

According to LSEG's vessel tracking data, the Marshall Islands flagged tanker Axios left one of Freeport LNG’s berths at the weekend with the first cargo that the facility has shipped since July 5.

Gaslog Wales, a vessel flying the Bermudan flag and waiting at the port of Freeport LNG on Monday was the Gaslog Wales. Data showed that the Gaslog Wales had waited for more than two weeks before loading.

According to preliminary LSEG information, the amount of gas flowing into the 2.1 billion cubic feet per day facility is expected to increase to about 1.0 bcfd by Monday. It was around 0.8 bcfd Sunday.

Freeport LNG stated on Monday that the company is progressing safely with the restart of their liquefaction train, so it's expected to fluctuate processing rates as the restart proceeds. It refused to give operational details.

Freeport LNG, unlike other plants, is powered by electricity drawn from the grid. This means that almost all the natural gas it pulls in is converted into LNG.

After Freeport LNG closed, gas flows to seven major U.S. LNG plants fell to 11.5 Bcfd. This is down from 12.8 Bcfd during June. December 2023 will be a record monthly high at 14.7 Bcfd.

As Freeport ramps up, and with hot weather predicted to return next weekend, U.S. front month gas futures on the New York Mercantile Exchange for August delivery were up 9.2cents, or 4.3% to $2.220 per mmBtu by 9:04 a.m. ET (1304 GMT)

This has set the contract up for its highest closing since July 12. Reporting by Marianna Pararaga and Scott DiSavino, Editing by Jan Harvey & Barbara Lewis

Tags: Marine Services North America Port Services Transportation Central America

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