Dominion Energy’s Cove Point LNG facility reaches shipment milestone

Dominion Energy’s Cove Point LNG Terminal reached a milestone, having loaded its 100th commercial liquefied natural gas (LNG) ship last week.

The 100th shipment comes 19 months after the Lusby, Md., facility opened for natural gas liquefaction and export.

When it opened in April 2018, it was the second-largest LNG export facility in the continental United States. Cove Point produces LNG for ST Cove Point, a joint venture of Sumitomo Corporation and Tokyo Gas, and for Gail Global (USA) LNG, the U.S. affiliate of GAIL (India) LTD.

“This is a major milestone for Dominion Energy and our country as a whole,” Paul Ruppert, president of gas transmission and storage at Dominion Energy, said. “It reflects not only the world-class design and operational excellence of our facility, but also the environmental progress we are making by reducing global reliance on coal, oil and other carbon-intensive energy sources.”

The Cove Point facility is unique among U.S. LNG terminals for its ability to perform all the functions of an LNG facility, including import, export, vaporization and send out, and liquefaction. The facility has produced more than 4 billion gallons of LNG since it opened, which it then ships to more than 20 countries across the globe.

“The Cove Point facility showcases our company’s commitment to environmental stewardship,” Ruppert said. “The facility’s waste heat recovery and zero liquid discharge system are truly best in class and show how we can responsibly develop infrastructure while at the same time protecting our air and water.”

The Cove Point facility is located on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay.