The energy company TotalEnergies carried out the first shipment of liquefied natural gas (LNG) produced by Phase 1 of the ECA LNG plant, located in Baja California, Mexico. The shipment marks a significant milestone for the project developed alongside Sempra Infrastructure and represents the start of commissioning operations for the export terminal situated on the Mexican Pacific coast.
Currently, TotalEnergies holds a 16.6% stake in ECA LNG and will acquire 1.7 million tons of LNG per year over a 20-year period once commercial operations begin. During the initial commissioning stage, it will also be the sole buyer of the facility’s production.
A strategic location to supply Asia
The first phase of the project includes a single-train liquefaction plant with a nominal capacity of 3.25 million tons per year. The facility uses natural gas from the Permian Basin in Texas and New Mexico, transported to the Pacific coast for transformation into LNG destined for export.
Furthermore, the development leverages the existing infrastructure of the regasification terminal to optimize construction and reduce operating costs. In parallel, Sempra Infrastructure continues to develop a second phase with greater capacity at the same complex.
Thanks to its location on the western coast of Mexico, the terminal offers a shorter maritime route to Asia and other Pacific markets. This logistical advantage contributes to reducing transit times and transport costs compared to other export alternatives from North America.
First LNG shipment drives commercial operation
Phase 1 is expected to reach completion during the summer of 2026. Subsequently, the long-term supply contracts signed for LNG marketing will begin to be executed.
Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies, stated that the project’s entry into operation strengthens the company’s integrated LNG portfolio in North America and expands its capacity to supply Asian markets through strategically located infrastructure.
For his part, Justin Bird, CEO of Sempra Infrastructure, highlighted that the first shipment confirms the project’s progress and will allow for the incorporation of a new reliable source of natural gas supply for international customers in a context of growing uncertainty in global LNG trade.
TotalEnergies reinforces its presence in the global LNG market
The company maintains one of the broadest integrated liquefied natural gas portfolios in the energy sector. By 2025, the company manages a capacity of nearly 44 million tons per year thanks to its participation in liquefaction plants distributed across different regions of the world.
Likewise, its strategy contemplates expanding the share of natural gas within its energy sales by 2030, reducing emissions associated with the entire gas value chain, and strengthening the supply of fuels with lower carbon intensity through investments in infrastructure, transport, and international marketing.
Source and internal photo: TotalEnergies
Main photo: Shutterstock
