Cheniere Energy said that the first commissioning cargo of liquefied natural gas (LNG) has left its Corpus Christi liquefaction facility in Texas, sailing on the LNG carrier Maria Energy. The facility consists of three LNG production units and supporting infrastructure.

The Maria Energy carried the first LNG cargo from the Corpus Christi, Texas, facility. Source: BalritShipping.com by Kenneth R. MyersThe Energy Department said in December that the U.S. is poised to become the world’s third-largest LNG exporter, with export capacity behind only Australia and Qatar.

LNG export capacity is expected to reach 8.9 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) by the end of 2019. Currently, that capacity stands at 3.6 Bcf/d, and is expected to end the year at 4.9 Bcf/d as two new liquefaction units (called trains) become operational.

The Cheniere Energy facility’s first train produced LNG starting in November and is expected to reach substantial completion in the first quarter of 2019. Train 2 is expected to reach substantial completion in the second half of 2019 and Train 3 in the second half of 2021.

The facility will also feature three LNG storage tanks with capacity of around 10.1 billion cubic feet equivalent and two marine berths. Seven smaller trains could eventually be built, increasing the facility’s total expected nominal production capacity to around 23 million tonnes per annum (mtpa).

LNG exports from the Lower 48 states began in February 2016, when the Sabine Pass liquefaction terminal in Louisiana shipped its first cargo. Since then, Sabine Pass has expanded from one to four trains, and the Cove Point LNG export facility began operation in Maryland.