Dominion Energy Cove Point has introduced feed gas into its newly-constructed natural gas liquefaction facility, which is currently undergoing commissioning in Lusby, Maryland, US. All major equipment has been operated and commissioned as expected following a comprehensive round of testing and quality assurance activities.
Shell NA LNG is providing the natural gas needed for liquefaction during the commissioning process and will off-take the LNG that is produced.
When commissioning is complete, DECP will produce LNG for ST Cove Point, which is the joint venture of Sumitomo Corp. and Tokyo Gas, and for GGULL, the US affiliate of GAIL (India) LTD under 20-year contracts. DECP's liquefaction facility has a nameplate capacity of 5.25 million tpy of LNG.
Construction of the liquefaction facility began in October 2014, following more than three years of federal, state and local permit reviews and approvals. With a cost of US$4 billion, it is the largest construction project ever thus far for Maryland and for Dominion Energy. Construction has involved more than 10 000 craft workers and a payroll of more than $565 million.