Proposed Main Pass LNG terminal could access eight pipelines

March 11, 2005
Freeport-McMoRan Energy LLC said its proposed deepwater LNG receiving terminal at its Main Pass Energy Hub could access eight pipelines and have 3 bcfd takeaway capacity.

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Mar. 11 -- McMoRan Exploration Co. subsidiary Freeport-McMoRan Energy LLC, New Orleans, said its proposed deepwater LNG receiving terminal at its Main Pass Energy Hub (MPEH) ultimately could access eight pipelines and have 3 bcfd takeaway capacity.

The company expects authorization this year from the US Coast Guard regarding its application to develop a $440 million LNG terminal at MPEH, 37 miles east of Venice, La. (OGJ Online, Mar. 1, 2004).

The 1 bcfd deepwater LNG port would be accompanied by on-site storage in the 2 mile diameter subsea salt caverns to be leached at the site, enabling the proposed LNG facility to have an aggregate deliverability of 2.5 bcfd, including deliveries from storage. Designs include 28 bcf of cavern storage availability.

MPEH is on Main Pass Block 299 in 210 ft of water and near shipping channels. Existing platforms and infrastructure at the site, designed to withstand a 200-year storm event, will be used to house the LNG vaporization and surface storage facilities. Pending timely approvals, facilities could be operational by late 2007, McMoRan said.