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The Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM) and QatarEnergy Golden Pass LNG joint venture has asked U.S. regulators for permission to re-export liquefied natural gas from October 1, Reuters reported late Wednesday, as the export plant nears production after previous delays.
The JV said it wants to re-export a cargo of LNG that it plans to import to cool down its export plant in Texas, which is still under construction; cooling down the plant is a standard procedure typically required before full-scale LNG production begins.
Golden Pass is building an 18M metric tons/year LNG export facility in Sabine Pass, Texas, and plans to start exporting LNG later this year, but the project is behind schedule and over budget after a series of problems.
The start-up was thrown into doubt recently when lead contractor Zachry Holdings filed for bankruptcy and quit the project, which was 75% complete.
Following Zachry’s exit, McDermott International (OTC:MCDIF) was appointed as lead contractor for Golden Pass LNG Train 1 and is negotiating to assume responsibility for the remaining two trains at the facility.