A first LNG cargo is loading at Kinder Morgan’s Elba Island LNG plant in the US as another liquefaction facility prepares to start operations.
Ship tracking shows that the 159,800-cbm Maran Gas Lindos (built 2015) arrived on Elba Island on 8 December.
Data intelligence analyst Kpler is reporting that the ship has been forced to shift between berths due to “issues on valves” in connection with loading operations.
Elba Island is expected to have a total capacity of 2.5 million tonnes per annum, which will be produced from 10 mini trains.
Kinder Morgan bought out Shell’s 49% stake in the project. Shell is taking 100% of the LNG offtake produced at Elba Island.
Elba Island in Chatham County, Georgia is part of a wave of new US LNG export capacity which has come onstream this year, changing the dynamics for the trade.
Others include the new greenfield facilities of Freeport LNG and Cameron LNG.
Elba Island started life as an LNG import terminal.
Imports ceased to the terminal in first half 1980 and it was mothballed.
The facility, like other existing regas terminals in the US, has made the shift to become an LNG liquefaction plant.
