The first three Corpus Christi trains have a capacity of approximately 15 mtpa.
In June 2022, Cheniere made the final investment decision on the Corpus Christi Stage 3 expansion project, worth about $8 billion, while compatriot Bechtel officially started construction on the project in October of the same year.
The project includes building seven midscale trains, each with an expected liquefaction capacity of about 1.49 mtpa. However, Cheniere is seeking authorization from the US FERC to increase the capacity of these trains and the other two midscale trains.
In March 2025, Cheniere achieved substantial completion of the first liquefaction train at the Corpus Christi Stage 3 expansion project, while the company completed the second liquefaction train in August, the third train in October, and the fourth train in December.
Construction update
Cheniere’s unit, Corpus Christi Liquefaction, said in the December construction report filed with FERC on Friday that the overall project completion rate for Stage 3 is 94.1 percent.
The project was 93 percent complete as of the end of November last year.
Stage 3 engineering and procurement were 99.6 percent and 100 percent complete as of the end of December 2025, respectively, while subcontract and direct hire construction work were 95.1 percent and 84.7 percent complete, respectively.
During December, key work fronts included aboveground piping in Trains 5 – 7 and outside boundary limits (OSBL), concrete pours in Trains 5 – 7 and OSBL, structural steel erection in Trains 5 – 7 and OSBL, underground piping installation in Trains 6 – 7 and OSBL, and equipment setting in Trains 6 – 7.
CCL said additional continued work included road improvements, drainage work, and mobilization of temporary facilities, equipment, and personnel.
Train 7 fin fan Installation (Image: Cheniere)
Key work fronts for the Midscale Trains 8 & 9 project, for which FID was made in June last year, included pile installations and construction of the sixth BOG compressor.
The Trains 8 & 9 project is overall 31.8 percent complete.
During January, Bechtel continued concrete foundations and pedestal works, installation of structural steel, and installation of aboveground piping at the fifth liquefaction train.
Cheniere is nearing the completion of this train.
Last month. Cheniere kicked off commissioning activities at the fifth train.
The company recently received approval from the US FERC to introduce fuel gas to this train.
Cheniere expects this train and the two remaining three trains to achieve substantial completion in 2026.
Over 30 mtpa
Upon completion of these expansion projects, and together with expected debottlenecking, the Corpus Christi LNG terminal is expected to reach over 30 mtpa in total liquefaction capacity later this decade, according to Cheniere.
In addition to these projects, Cheniere received approval from FERC to initiate the environmental pre-filing review for its Corpus Christi Liquefaction Stage 4 project.
The trains will have a peak production capacity of approximately 24 mtpa of LNG.