BHGE Supplying Turbomachinery Equipment For New Liquefaction Train

Baker Hughes will supply turbomachinery equipment for the expansion of Cheniere’s LNG facility in Corpus Christi, Texas, USA.

Cheniere announced a positive Final Investment Decision (FID) and the plan to issue a full notice to proceed to continue construction on the third liquefaction train at Cheniere’s Corpus Christi liquefaction project (CCL Project). According to the company, this represents the first FID on new liquefaction capacity in the United States since 2015.

When all three trains are completed, the aggregate nominal production capacity of the CCL Project is expected to be approximately 13.5 MTPA of LNG. Cheniere appointed Bechtel as their Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) partner for the project, and Bechtel Oil, Gas & Chemicals Inc. (Bechtel) contracted BHGE to provide turbomachinery equipment for the third train consisting of six PGT25+G4 DLE gas turbines driving various compressors. BHGE has provided the same equipment for two other trains already under construction at Corpus Christi, and similar technology for five trains at Cheniere’s Sabine Pass plant.

The PGT25+G4 is based on the LM2500+ design with enhancements to increase flow and temperature capabilities. The 34 MW, 6100 RPM power turbine is capable of direct coupling to the driven equipment for simplicity and improved efficiency and maintenance, the company said. The annular combustor is from the LM2500+ with modifications to enable higher firing temperature, reduce maintenance cycle time, and keep NOx at LM2500+ levels even at higher firing temperatures.

The enhanced PGT25+G4 package is a modular solution for improved integration of auxiliaries, reduced installation and commissioning time, and easy maintainability, according to the company.

The Corpus Christi site is located on the La Quinta Channel on the northeast side of Corpus Christi Bay in San Patricio County, Texas.

“This is the fifth order for similar equipment for Cheniere Energy through Bechtel, and an important one as it is the first FID on new liquification in the U.S. since 2015,” said Rod Christie, president and CEO, Turbomachinery & Process Solutions, BHGE. “Our technology provides the necessary refrigeration gas needed to chill the natural gas into liquid form for transportation. This award builds on the unparalleled technology experience and partnership established between Cheniere, Bechtel and BHGE.”

This agreement expands BHGE’s global footprint by bringing engineering, manufacturing and project management from Evendale, Ohio; Houston, Texas and Florence, Italy.