TotalEnergies ships first LNG cargo from Mexican project to Asia

France’s energy giant TotalEnergies has shipped the first cargo to Asia from the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminal on Mexico’s Pacific Coast, currently under commissioning.

ECA LNG Phase 1 consists of a single-train liquefaction facility with a nameplate LNG capacity of 3.25 million tons per annum (Mtpa), supplied with U.S. feed gas sourced from the Permian Basin in Texas and New Mexico. A second larger phase is under development at the same site.

TotalEnergies, which holds a 16.6% stake in the project alongside operator Sempra Infrastructure, will offtake 1.7 Mtpa of LNG for 20 years from the start of commercial operations, notably to Asia, and will be the sole offtaker during the ramp-up phase.

“The start-up of ECA LNG, whose strategic location provides privileged access to Asian markets, strengthens the quality of our integrated LNG portfolio in North America. TotalEnergies is pleased to contribute to the project’s ramp-up by exporting its first LNG cargoes,” said Patrick PouyannéChairman and Chief Executive Officer of TotalEnergies.

Located on Mexico’s Pacific Coast, the ECA LNG facility is expected to enable the supply of U.S. natural gas to Asia and other Pacific Basin markets via the shortest shipping route, reducing transit times and transportation costs and thus providing customers with greater access to competitively priced U.S. natural gas.

First LNG production from the project was reported in June.

“At a time of increased uncertainty in the global LNG trade, we are excited to begin shipping a new and reliable source of natural gas from North America’s Pacific Coast to customers around the globe,” said Justin BirdChief Executive Officer of Sempra Infrastructure. “This achievement underscores the exceptional talent of the entire ECA LNG Phase 1 team and our company’s steadfast commitment to safe and strong project execution.”