Cheniere Energy, Inc. (NYSE: LNG), a leading producer and exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG), has announced the first production of LNG from Train 1 of its Corpus Christi Stage 3 Liquefaction Project (CCL Stage 3) in South Texas. This achievement marks a significant milestone for the project, which is now well into its commissioning phase. According to Cheniere, substantial completion of Train 1 is expected by the end of the first quarter of 2025—over six months ahead of schedule.
The CCL Stage 3 project encompasses seven midscale trains with a combined expected production capacity of over 10 million tonnes per annum (mtpa). Once all seven trains reach substantial completion, the total production capacity of the Corpus Christi liquefaction facility will exceed 25 mtpa.
Early Completion and Transfer to Cheniere
Following commissioning, Cheniere anticipates that Train 1 will achieve substantial completion in early 2025, at which point Bechtel Energy, Inc. (“Bechtel”) will transfer care, custody, and control of the completed train to Cheniere. Bechtel is one of the world’s leading engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) firms, having previously collaborated with Cheniere on other large-scale LNG projects, including the Sabine Pass Liquefaction facility in Louisiana.
Project Progress and Milestones
Full notice to proceed on the CCL Stage 3 project was issued to Bechtel in June 2022, and since then the project has made rapid progress. As of November 30, 2024:
- Overall project completion: 75.9%
- Engineering: 96.8% complete
- Procurement: 97.2% complete
- Subcontract work: 87.7% complete
- Construction: 39.2% complete
These progress metrics highlight the concerted effort from multiple teams and contractors to deliver CCL Stage 3 ahead of contractual deadlines.
Background on the Corpus Christi Stage 3 Project
Cheniere’s Corpus Christi Liquefaction facility, located on the La Quinta Channel near the Gulf of Mexico, originally began exports in 2018 with three large-scale trains capable of producing a combined total of approximately 15 mtpa of LNG. Recognizing growing global demand for LNG, Cheniere initiated CCL Stage 3—a multi-train expansion designed to add an incremental 10+ mtpa of production through seven midscale trains. Midscale trains typically require less capital per tonne of LNG produced and have the flexibility to ramp up production incrementally.
- Modular Approach: Midscale trains often use modular technology, enabling quicker construction, lower costs, and phased completion that can get capacity online faster.
- Global LNG Demand: Demand for LNG continues to rise as many countries transition away from coal and seek cleaner-burning fuels like natural gas. Projects like CCL Stage 3 further position the United States as a critical supplier of LNG worldwide.
Cheniere’s Role in the Global LNG Market
Cheniere Energy was among the first companies to export LNG from the contiguous United States when it began operations at the Sabine Pass Liquefaction facility in Louisiana. Today, the company stands as one of the largest exporters of LNG in the U.S., sending cargoes to markets across Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
By adding further capacity at Corpus Christi, Cheniere is poised to strengthen its foothold in the global energy market and support growing international demand for cleaner energy. The anticipated early completion of Train 1 under CCL Stage 3 underscores Cheniere’s track record of completing projects ahead of schedule—a factor that bolsters its reputation among customers and investors.
Looking Ahead
With Train 1 nearing completion and the other six midscale trains underway, the Corpus Christi Stage 3 expansion remains on target to deliver a significant boost in U.S. LNG export capacity. Cheniere’s commitment to operational excellence, combined with Bechtel’s proven project execution, suggests the CCL Stage 3 expansion will continue progressing efficiently in the coming months.
As global demand for LNG grows—driven by energy security concerns and the need for lower-carbon transition fuels—Cheniere’s leadership in large-scale LNG production and export positions the company as a critical player in the future of the international energy landscape.
