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Plaquemines plant receives FERC approval for nitrogen in

Block

15

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Commissioning to continue in phases over two years

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Plaquemines pulls 20% of total US LNG gas demand

By Curtis Williams

HOUSTON, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Venture Global ( VG ) could

soon be producing liquefied natural gas from all blocks at its

27.2 million metric tons per annum Plaquemines facility,

regulatory filings show.

The company received permission on Friday to introduce

nitrogen at Block 15, a precursory step toward natural gas

production, according to an order from the Federal Energy

Regulatory Commission. The regulator's move followed a Wednesday

authorization to introduce natural gas at Block 18.

The Louisiana complex has 18 blocks, each comprising two

plants that are also called trains. It had initially skipped

starting up at Block 15 after receiving permission to begin

output at the remainder of the facility, according to regulatory

filings.

Plaquemines is the second-largest LNG plant in the U.S.,

after Cheniere Energy's Sabine Pass.

Commissioning is expected to continue in phases for the next

two years, with Venture Global ( VG ) likely earning higher

liquefaction fees from the sale of early cargoes on the spot

market before having to supply long-term customers including

Exxon, Shell and Orlen ( PSKOF ), according to

the company.

Venture Global ( VG ) did not immediately respond to a request for

comment.

Since it began producing LNG at the end of December last year,

Plaquemines has increased output every month and is a major

reason the U.S. has been able to export the superchilled gas at

record levels in 2025, according to data from financial firm

LSEG.

On Friday, Plaquemines was pulling 3.2 bcf of gas, or

almost 20% of all gas coming out of U.S. plants, LSEG data

showed.

A mere startup three years ago, Venture Global ( VG ) has grown to

become the second-largest LNG exporter in the U.S. When it

completes construction of CP2, its 28-mtpa export facility in

Louisiana, the company will take the number one spot.

Plaquemines has been the fastest greenfield LNG plant built

in the U.S., having produced its first cargo in less than

three years from its initial approval.