LNG Canada has now loaded six carriers at its Kitimat terminal, adding two since its last operational update, as the facility advances through early operations with both turbines in Train 1 engaged.
鈥淚n line with our plans, our production will continue to increase as we move through early operations and into a regular shipping cadence, when we anticipate loading one export cargo from our facility every two days,鈥� an LNG Canada spokesperson said.
Phase 1 of the $40-billion terminal consists of two production trains, each housing two turbines. Start-up is deliberately staged so each turbine comes online one after the other. With Train 1 now fully engaged, the project is progressing toward regular production.
The latest cargo loads follow July 30 reports from industry sources of setbacks with a turbine and refrigerant unit in Train 1, and a tanker bound for Kitimat being redirected to South America. At the time, LNG Canada said such events at a facility the size and complexity of LNG Canada requires a break-in period to stabilize, and which is normal during commissioning.
Train 2 start-up will follow later at an unspecified date as part of the planned sequencing.
"It鈥檚 a process, not everything turns on at once," the spokesperson said.
The terminal began LNG exports to Asia June 30, followed by a visit from B.C. Premier David Eby in late July to mark the achievement. Operated by a joint venture of Shell, Petronas, PetroChina, Mitsubishi Corporation and KOGAS, Phase 1 is designed for 14 million tonnes of annual production. A proposed second phase, which could double capacity, remains under review.
