HOUSTON, June 26 (Reuters) -

The largest U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) developer

Cheniere Energy Inc ( LNG ) will not know until September when

it will be able to produce first LNG from its Corpus Christi

Stage 3 LNG export facility, said Bechtel General Manager of LNG

Bhupesh Thakkar.

Cheniere has told the market it was aiming to produce

first LNG by the end of the year, but Thakkar said that goal was

not yet guaranteed even though they are working hard.

"We are targeting together to make first LNG by the end of

the year," said Thakkar, adding: "around August or September we

will know what is the probability of getting this."

Labor shortages particularly among skilled construction

workers has to be overcome, he said. Bechtel and Cheniere are

working together and will not give up, but the schedule target

will not take a priority over safety.

Rising labor costs

due to a shortage of craft labor have posed a major

challenge to LNG projects and increased costs over the last two

years.

Weather conditions including the current hurricane season

could play a major role, said Cheniere's Chief Operating Officer

Corey Grindal who was speaking at a fireside chat at LNG 2024

conference in Houston.

Grindal said something like a hurricane could make the

difference and the focus was on safely bringing LNG to the

market.

Forecasters are predicting an above average hurricane season

this year with up to seven major hurricanes forming in the

Atlantic basin between June 1 and Nov. 30.