Where operational excellence meets growth opportunity
- Where we work
- Corpus Christi
Quick facts
Site: 1,000+ acres
Access: 45’ channel depth
Proximity: 15 nautical miles from coast
Berths: 2 docks
Storage: 3 tanks (~10 Bcfe)
Trains operating: 3
In service: 2019
Personnel: ~750
Overview
In South Texas, the first greenfield LNG export facility in the contiguous United States stands as an example of Cheniere’s history of operational excellence, delivering new infrastructure ahead of schedule and producing energy safely and reliably. With access to abundant, low-cost natural gas and proposed and fully permitted expansion projects, the Corpus Christi Liquefaction facility also provides Cheniere potential for growth as the world requires new sources of cleaner energy solutions.
Cheniere’s Corpus Christi Liquefaction facility (CCL) is located on the La Quinta Ship Channel, along the north shore of Corpus Christi Bay in San Patricio County, Texas. CCL has three fully operational liquefaction units — or “trains.” These trains were completed ahead of schedule and within budget, and each train is designed to produce approximately 5 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of LNG.
Construction of CCL was a massive undertaking. If we added up each of the components of the three trains, we would need approximately 250,000 cubic meters of concrete, 50,000 tonnes of structural steel, 340 kilometers (211 miles) of pipe and 3,800 kilometers (2,360 miles) of electrical cable. Additionally, we facilitated the permitting, design and construction of more than $8 million of shoreline protection projects.
The facility’s three containment tanks each have the capacity to store 160,000 cubic meters of LNG — and large enough to fit a 747 airliner. The facility’s two berths have the capacity to receive the world’s largest LNG carrier, the Q-Max, which is 344.4 meters long with a cargo capacity of 266,000 cubic meters of LNG.
Corpus Christi Stage 3 (CCL Stage 3), our expansion project at CCL that is in the construction and commissioning phases, will consist of seven “midscale” trains that will add more than 10 mtpa of production capacity, bringing CCL’s total permitted capacity to more than 25 mtpa. Train 1 of CCL Stage 3 produced first LNG in December of 2024 and is expected to reach substantial completion in early 2025. Two additional midscale trains are expected to achieve substantial completion in 2025, and the remaining four midscale trains are expected to reach substantial completion in 2026.
The Corpus Christi site is built approximately 25 feet above sea level and is strategically situated for LNG exports given its large acreage position, interconnections with multiple interstate and intrastate pipeline systems and its premier marine access, located less than 15 miles from the Gulf of Mexico. CCL has access to natural gas from some of the most prolific production regions in the country, including the Permian Basin. The approximately 22-mile, 48-inch Cheniere Corpus Christi Pipeline connects CCL to several interstate and intrastate pipelines, giving the facility access to robust gas resources. Cheniere also has access to an extensive pipeline network through long-term transportation agreements. CCL works with dozens of natural gas producers and infrastructure companies to purchase natural gas and transport it to the terminal.
Corpus Christi expansion opportunities
Corpus Christi Stage 3 project
We are constructing an expansion adjacent to the CCL project for seven midscale trains with a combined permitted production capacity of more than 10 mtpa of LNG. This project is fully permitted and is in the construction and commissioning phases. Train 1 of CCL Stage 3 produced first LNG in December of 2024 and is expected to reach substantial completion in early 2025. Two additional midscale trains are expected to achieve substantial completion in 2025, and the remaining four midscale trains are expected to achieve substantial completion in 2026.
Corpus Christi Liquefaction Midscale Trains 8 & 9 Project
The proposed project would expand the previously approved liquefaction project and Stage 3 project facilities (approved in Docket Nos. CP12-507-000 and CP18-512-000, respectively). The project would consist of two additional midscale liquefaction trains and numerous operational optimizations such as refrigerant storage facilities, additional boil-off-gas compression and ship loading optimizations.
Feedgas for the project would be transported to the CCL Terminal by the existing Corpus Christi Pipeline system and an intrastate pipeline.
FERC is the lead federal agency for the Project. CCL initiated the pre-filing process in August 2022, filed a formal application with FERC in March 2023 and is anticipating approval from FERC in early 2025.
Have a question or comment? You can reach us at 888-371-3606 or community@cheniere.com.
You are invited to participate in the FERC process. Additional information can be found at the below websites.