U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) company Venture Global LNG’s tanker Venture Bayou, currently stationed at the Plaquemines LNG export plant in Louisiana, is expected to head to Brunsbuttel, Germany and will likely arrive there by Jan. 8, according to LSEG data.
The U.S. is the world’s largest exporter of the superchilled gas and a key provider of gas to Europe in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Plaquemines LNG recently began producing first LNG and the vessel’s expected departure from the Louisiana plant likely indicates it is carrying its first LNG cargo. The company was not immediately available for comment.
The plant is already over budget by more than $2.35 billion and is expected to have an extended commissioning period, potentially delaying long-term customer deliveries until 2026.
When fully completed Plaquemines will be one of the largest LNG plants in the world and help keep the United States ranked as the world’s largest LNG exporter.
(Reporting by Ashitha Shivaprasad in Bengaluru, additional reporting by Swati Verma)