Caturus Plans Sweeping Expansion to Nearly Double Commonwealth LNG Capacity

Caturus LLC plans to nearly double the expected capacity of its Commonwealth LNG plant, which is currently under construction in Cameron Parish, La. The proposed expansion would add substantial liquefaction capacity to the developing export site.

The company outlined plans for an expansion comprising five trains with combined capacity of 7.75 million tonnes/year, or tpy. Caturus disclosed the plan in a release dated Sept. 15.

If completed as planned, the additional trains would bring the site’s total planned capacity to about 17.25 million tpy. That total combines the proposed 7.75 million tpy expansion with the 9.5 million tpy plant now being built.

The expansion plan follows a major investment decision for the initial Commonwealth LNG development. Caturus reached final investment decision in May on the current design of the six train plant.

The sanctioned Commonwealth LNG project carries an estimated cost of $13.5 billion. The decision also included the closing of $9.75 billion in project financing.

Reaching final investment decision marked the beginning of full construction for the 9.5 million tpy plant. Phase 1 operations are expected to begin in 2030.

The new proposal would significantly broaden the scale of the Cameron Parish development beyond the capacity covered by the May sanction. The expansion would add five trains to the six train configuration already moving through construction.

Caturus said the expansion reflects strong market demand for additional US LNG volumes. The company also linked the proposal to demand for long term supply security.

The company intends to build on infrastructure and commercial momentum already established at Commonwealth LNG. That approach would connect the additional capacity with work and planning associated with the initial plant.

Land requirements for the proposed expansion would be addressed through property already controlled by Caturus. The company therefore plans to use its existing land position at the site for the five additional trains.

The expansion would also draw on the engineering, procurement, and construction program established for the initial phase. Caturus presented that program as another existing element capable of supporting the larger planned development.

Using the established construction program would allow the additional capacity to build on the framework created for the original six train plant. The company’s release placed that framework alongside the controlled land and existing infrastructure supporting its proposal.

Caturus also cited its integrated model spanning upstream operations through LNG exports. The company said that structure would support the additional liquefaction capacity planned for Commonwealth LNG.

Gas production from Caturus acreage in South Texas forms part of that integrated model. The company specifically identified that production as a source of support for the expanded liquefaction plan.

The proposed five train addition is sized at 7.75 million tpy, compared with 9.5 million tpy for the plant now under construction. Together, the two planned components would establish total site capacity of about 17.25 million tpy.

The current construction program remains tied to the project sanctioned in May. That decision covered the six train configuration, the $13.5 billion project cost and the financing package closed alongside the sanction.

Caturus is now seeking to extend the development beyond that initial configuration by relying on resources already associated with Commonwealth LNG. Those resources include controlled land, the established engineering, procurement, and construction program, infrastructure and commercial momentum.

The expansion plan would nearly double the capacity expected at the Cameron Parish site while the original plant remains under construction. Caturus continues to expect Phase 1 operations in 2030, with the proposed additional trains positioned to raise overall planned capacity to about 17.25 million tpy.