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Cove Point Terminal Enters Commercial Service for Natural Gas Liquefaction and Export

The Dominion Energy Cove Point (DECP) liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Lusby, MD is up and running for commercial service for natural gas liquefaction and export.

Photo: Dominion Cove Point LNG

Cove Point Terminal has been used to receive transport vessels and store LNG onshore before transforming it back to gas when needed. Now that Dominion’s Cove Point Liquefaction Project is online, the utility can liquefy natural gas at the facility for transport to tankers and export.

While Dominion was unable to provide specific schedules, reported shipping information indicates that Cove Point received and loaded its first contractual vessel and that additional vessels were expected in late April.

In February, Dominion reported that the Project was undergoing commissioning following testing and quality assurance activities. 

As for any additional tanker traffic on the Chesapeake, a 2014 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission environmental assessment for the Cove Point Liquefaction Project notes that “the annual frequency of ship traffic for the Project is estimated to be 85 LNG vessels per year, which would not exceed the previously approved ship traffic of up to approximately 200 vessels per year.”

 

-Laura Boycourt