The $10 billion Golden Pass LNG project in Texas has reached a settlement with bankrupt contractor Zachry Holdings, enabling the stalled project to proceed with new contractors. The agreement, which will be presented to the court, resolves all disputes between the project's owners—Exxon Mobil and QatarEnergy—and Zachry Holdings, clearing the way for construction to resume.
The much-anticipated Golden Pass LNG project in Texas, with an estimated value of $10.5 billion, has experienced significant delays due to the bankruptcy filing and subsequent disputes with the project's lead contractor, Zachry Holdings. However, recent developments indicate that the two oil and gas giants, Exxon Mobil and QatarEnergy, have reached a settlement with Zachry, potentially resolving the long-standing issues and enabling the project to proceed with new contractors [1].
The dispute between Zachry and the joint venture partners, which also includes McDermott International and Chiyoda Corp, arose from ongoing cost and schedule disagreements, leading to stalled work, job site layoffs, and accusations of project leadership issues. The situation resulted in a halt to work at the three-plant addition, which is set to produce 18 million metric tons annually of LNG once completed.
Despite the challenges, recent negotiations between attorneys for both sides have shown promising progress. In a June 27 hearing, the parties were reportedly engaged in productive discussions to reach a global resolution, with both parties aiming to avoid judicial intervention before an Aug. 12 bankruptcy court hearing [1].
The consequences of Zachry's abandonment of the LNG facility have been significant, with immediate and substantial harm caused to the project and its stakeholders. However, with the settlement in place, Exxon Mobil and QatarEnergy are now poised to move forward with the project and resume construction.
The Golden Pass LNG project, located near Port Arthur, Texas, is expected to produce a significant amount of LNG annually, contributing to the global energy market's growing demand for cleaner-burning fuels. With the settlement now reached, the project is expected to face a six-month startup delay, with work estimated to be more than 75% complete [1].
Sources:
[1] ENR. (2024, July 3). Truce May Be Underway in Big Golden Pass LNG Project Dispute. Retrieved from https://www.enr.com/articles/58916-truce-may-be-underway-in-big-golden-pass-lng-project-dispute
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