Mitsubishi starts work on $10bn liquefaction terminal in Louisiana

Construction has begun on a $10bn LNG terminal in Hackberry, Louisiana, which turns natural gas into a liquid for export. 

The project is being developed by Cameron LNG, a joint venture between Sempra Energy’s LNG division and Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha, which is a subsidiary of the Mitsubishi Corporation. 

The liquefaction project will be able to export 12 million tonnes a year of LNG, and will be able to process 1.7 billion cubic feet of gas a day.   

Construction on the project will create an estimated 3,000 jobs during its peak. Once operational, the plant will add 200 full-time jobs to the economies of Louisiana and Texas. 

Farhad Ahrabi, chief executive of Cameron LNG, said: "All of us at Cameron are committed to developing this project in a safe and responsible way, respecting and protecting the environment and the people." 

The terminal is still awaiting regulatory approval but construction is expected to begin this year, and to become fully operational in 2018. 

Mitsubishi have recently announced they are to build the world’s first floating hydrogen factory.