Baker Hughes will expand its role in Venture Global’s U.S. natural gas infrastructure after receiving new orders tied to the Cloud Connector pipeline and the expansion of the Plaquemines LNG plant in Louisiana.
The energy technology company will supply compression systems to transport feed gas to the LNG facility. It will also provide a modular liquefaction solution aimed at increasing the complex’s production capacity.
The contracts therefore strengthen a collaboration that already spans multiple Venture Global projects, extending Baker Hughes’ technology footprint across the natural gas value chain.
Cloud Connector to receive 13 compression systems
On the one hand, Baker Hughes will supply 13 gas compression systems driven by Frame 5/2E turbines for the Cloud Connector Pipeline project.
The units will enable feed gas to be transported through the pipeline to Plaquemines LNG. Given its scale, the order represents one of the largest deployments of its kind for transporting LNG feed gas in the United States.
In addition, this is the second order for Frame 5/2E turbine-driven centrifugal compressor packages for Venture Global’s feed infrastructure.
With the new award, the fleet associated with Plaquemines LNG will reach 23 Frame 5/2E-driven compression systems.
Baker Hughes to supply eight modules for Plaquemines LNG
On the other hand, the liquefaction order includes four blocks comprising eight liquefaction modules to support additional production capacity at Plaquemines LNG.
Each block will use two single mixed refrigerant liquefaction modules, known as SMR, driven by electric motors. The configuration includes compression trains equipped with Baker Hughes centrifugal compressor technology.
It will also include Chart cold boxes, air coolers, and integrated control systems. The solution follows a technology scope similar to that previously awarded to Baker Hughes for CP2, another LNG project developed by Venture Global in Louisiana.
Collaboration supports more than 100 MTPA of LNG capacity
Baker Hughes also said its relationship with Venture Global supports more than 100 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of existing and planned LNG production capacity.
Venture Global is concentrating its first three projects—Calcasieu Pass, Plaquemines LNG, and CP2 LNG—in Louisiana and is developing infrastructure to produce and transport liquefied natural gas from the U.S. Gulf Coast.
Mike Sabel, CEO of Venture Global, highlighted Baker Hughes’ role in both the company’s LNG facilities and its pipeline infrastructure. According to the executive, the new equipment will help ensure the transport of the feed gas required for the Plaquemines expansion.
For his part, Lorenzo Simonelli, Chairman and CEO of Baker Hughes, linked the award to demand for the infrastructure needed to sustain the U.S. natural gas supply to international markets.
With these orders, Baker Hughes increases its participation in two essential stages of the project: transporting feed gas via Cloud Connector and its subsequent processing through new liquefaction modules at Plaquemines LNG.
Source: Baker Hughes
Photo: Shutterstock
