Freeport approved to operate one train fully, start second

[cmm3rd]

FREEPORT LNG RECEIVES REGULATORY APPROVAL FOR COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS OF ITS
LIQUEFACTION FACILITY

Houston, TX, February 21, 2022 – Freeport LNG Development, L.P. (Freeport LNG) today
announced that it has received regulatory approval to commence commercial operations of
the company’s natural gas liquefaction and export facility. Today’s authorization provides for
the immediate full return to service of one liquefaction train, that has already restarted, and
the incremental restart and full return to service of a second train. The restart and return to
service of Freeport LNG’s third liquefaction train will require subsequent regulatory approval
once certain operational conditions are met. A conservative ramp-up profile to establish
three-train production of approximately 2.0 billion cubic feet per day is anticipated to occur
over the next several weeks as stable operation of each incremental train is established and
maintained. Operations are initially utilizing two of Freeport LNG’s three LNG storage tanks
and one of its two LNG berths. The second LNG berth and third LNG storage tank are
expected to return to service in May. First LNG production and ship loading from the facility
began on February 11.

“Returning to liquefaction operations is a significant achievement for Freeport LNG,” said
Michael Smith, Freeport LNG Founder, Chairman and CEO. “Over the past eight months, we
have implemented enhancements to our processes, procedures and training to ensure safe
and reliable operations, and significantly increased staffing levels with extensive LNG and
petrochemical operating experience to reduce overtime, enhance operational excellence, and
improve quality assurance and business performance. Eight months of diligence, discipline and
dedicated efforts by our teams, working collaboratively alongside the regulatory agencies and
local officials, have positioned us to resume LNG production and commence ramp-up to the
safe establishment of commercial operations of our liquefaction facility.”

[Fraser921]

They waited for winter to be over

[cmm3rd]

That was a tempting inference from the delay, however I have read that safety culture there left much to be desired. No way to know the truth, so making no judgment. Looking forward, let's hope train two gets up and running fully very soon, to be followed by train three, and that thereafter there are no more explosions or other problems.