Plans to expand the Golden Pass terminal could generate up to 45,000 jobs nationwide

The Golden Pass LNG liquefied natural gas terminal in Sabine Pass, Texas is a joint venture between affiliates of Qatar Petroleum and ExxonMobil. It was built as one of the world’s largest LNG terminals with regasification capacity of two billion cubic feet per day. With the U.S. having moved from a shortage of natural gas to a surplus, plans are underway to expand the terminal to add LNG export capability. 

Golden Pass Products

The proposed project, Golden Pass Products, would allow Golden Pass the flexibility to both export and import natural gas in response to market conditions. Golden Pass Products is a joint venture between affiliates of Qatar Petroleum and ExxonMobil, and would have an estimated export capacity of 15.6 million tons of LNG per year. 

Golden Pass Products has received all U.S. federal authorizations, and the joint venture is preparing for a final investment decision on the project. 

Benefits to the local economy

Golden Pass Products would represent an estimated $10 billion investment in manufacturing on the U.S. Gulf Coast. The project would generate billions of dollars of economic growth and millions of dollar in annual taxes to local, state and federal governments.

The project would also generate tens of thousands of jobs across the life of the facility, including approximately 9,000 construction jobs over five years with peak employment reaching about 3,000 jobs. The project could also generate the equivalent of 45,000 direct and indirect jobs nationwide during the construction phase, which is expected to last several years. During operations, it could generate about 3,800 permanent direct and indirect jobs, including approximately 200 highly-skilled, permanent jobs at the facility.

A good corporate citizen

Golden Pass places great value on its relationships, built on trust and respect, with the communities of Southeast Texas, and is an engaged, responsible neighbor.

Golden Pass meets regularly with its Community Advisory Panel — which includes representation from neighbors in Sabine Pass, the city of Port Arthur, the Sabine Pass Independent School District, public officials, state agencies and other local organizations — to inform them about Golden Pass and listen to any questions or concerns. In addition, Golden Pass funded a new, $1.5 million community center for local residents in Sabine Pass, Texas.

Safeguarding the local environment is also a top priority for Golden Pass LNG. We employ industry best practices and technology. Golden Pass LNG complies with all regulatory requirements to ensure a responsible, environmentally friendly terminal and pipeline.

As the project aimed at converting Golden Pass to an export terminal progresses, we continue to work with the community to help prepare the local workforce for the potential new jobs in construction and support services as well as those that would ultimately be needed to operate the terminal.

LNG terminal safety: our top priority

LNG terminals and ships are designed and constructed with safety as the main priority. Over the past 45 years, the LNG industry has safely transported and processed LNG around the world. Industry standards, codes, training, inspections and operating procedures as well as government regulations are in place for the safe design, construction and operation of LNG terminals and ships.

LNG terminals and ships are designed with multiple layers of protection. For example, LNG ships are designed with double hulls with two layers of steel and equipped with gas detectors and safety alarms. The Golden Pass LNG terminal utilizes two independent levels of containment, including an inner steel tank and a thick reinforced concrete outer shell. The terminal storage tanks are also surrounded by a berm to provide another layer of projection in the unlikely event of a spill. In addition, the FERC permitting process, which includes coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard, requires rigorous safety assessments of LNG terminals and ships.