TotalEnergies has exported the initial cargo of liquefied natural gas (LNG) produced at the ECA LNG phase one terminal on Mexico’s Pacific Coast to Asia.
The facility, located in Baja California and currently under commissioning, is the region’s first LNG export terminal.
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TotalEnergies holds a 16.6% stake in ECA LNG, operated by Sempra Infrastructure, and will serve as the sole offtaker of LNG during the project’s ramp-up phase.
The ECA LNG phase one project consists of a single-train liquefaction plant with a nameplate capacity of 3.25 million tonnes per annum (mtpa), utilising US natural gas sourced from the Permian Basin in Texas and New Mexico.
The facility has used existing regasification infrastructure to help manage construction costs. A second, larger phase is also being developed at the site.
TotalEnergies chairman and CEO Patrick Pouyanné said: “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.”
According to the company, ECA LNG’s Pacific Coast location enables the export of US natural gas to Asia and other Pacific Basin markets through shorter shipping routes, which may reduce transport durations and costs.
The project is set to be substantially completed in summer 2026, after which long-term LNG sales agreements with TotalEnergies and Mitsui are expected to begin.
TotalEnergies has committed to offtake 1.7mtpa of LNG for 20 years from the commencement of commercial operations.
Sempra Infrastructure describes the facility as part of its dual-coast LNG portfolio.
With projects spanning the US Gulf Coast and Mexico’s Pacific Coast, the company provides customers with flexible solutions to meet rising demand for competitively priced US natural gas.
Sempra Infrastructure CEO Justin Bird said: “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.
“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.”
Earlier this month, TotalEnergies announced the sale of its 8.5% net interest in the Marjoram gas field, located in Block 2E offshore Malaysia, to Inpex for $350m (€306.13m).
