Dominion Energy has introduced feed gas to its Cove Point natural gas liquefaction facility currently undergoing commissioning in Lusby, Maryland.
All major equipment has been operated and is being commissioned as expected following a round of testing and quality assurance activities, the company said in a statement.
Shell NA LNG is providing the natural gas needed for liquefaction during the commissioning process and will off-take the LNG that is produced.
When commissioning is complete, Dominion Energy Cove Point will produce LNG for ST Cove Point, which is the joint venture of Sumitomo Corporation and Tokyo Gas, and for GAIL Global (USA) LNG, the U.S. unit of GAIL (India) LTD under 20-year contracts.
Dominion Energy’s Cove Point liquefaction facility has a nameplate capacity of 5.25 mtpa of LNG.
Construction of the liquefaction facility began in October 2014, following more than three years of federal, state and local permit reviews and approvals.
With a cost of $4 billion, it is the largest construction project ever thus far for Maryland and for Dominion Energy, the company said.