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 and the third train in October.
Construction update
Cheniere’s unit, Corpus Christi Liquefaction, said in the November construction report filed with FERC last week that the overall project completion rate for Stage 3 is 93 percent.
The project was 92.1 percent complete as of the end of October.
Stage 3 engineering and procurement were 99.5 percent and 100 percent complete as of the end of November 2025, respectively, while subcontract and direct hire construction work were 94.9 percent and 81.7 percent complete, respectively.
During November, 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 5 – 7.
CCL said additional continued work included road improvements, drainage work, and mobilization of temporary facilities, equipment, and personnel.
Key work fronts for the Midscale Trains 8 & 9 project, for which FID was made in June this year, included site preparation activities and construction of the sixth BOG compressor, the company noted.
The Trains 8 & 9 project is overall 29.7 percent complete.
Train 7 structural steel installation (Image: Cheniere)
During December, Bechtel will continue insulation of aboveground piping at the fourth liquefaction train.
Cheniere is nearing the completion of this train.
In September, Cheniere initiated commissioning activities at the fourth train of the Corpus Christi Stage 3 expansion project.
Cheniere said in its third-quarter report that it expects first LNG from Train 4 in November and substantial completion “around year-end 2025 or early 2026.”
According to Cheniere, Trains 5 – 7 are scheduled to reach substantial completion throughout 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 ot these project, 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.