en.Wedoany.com Reported - TotalEnergies has shipped the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo from the ECA LNG Phase 1 terminal on Mexico's Pacific coast to the Asian market.

The facility, located in Baja California and currently in the commissioning phase, is the region's first LNG export terminal. TotalEnergies holds a 16.6% stake in the ECA LNG project, operated by Sempra Infrastructure, and serves as the sole LNG offtaker during the project's ramp-up phase. ECA LNG Phase 1 includes a single liquefaction train with a nameplate capacity of 3.25 million tons per annum (mtpa), sourcing gas from the Permian Basin in Texas and New Mexico, United States. The facility leverages existing regasification infrastructure to control construction costs, with a larger Phase 2 project under development at the same site.

Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies, stated that the launch of ECA LNG strengthens the quality of the company's integrated LNG portfolio in North America, with its strategic location providing access to the Asian market. The company is pleased to contribute to the project's ramp-up by exporting the first LNG cargo. According to the company, ECA LNG's location on the Pacific coast enables shorter shipping routes for exporting U.S. natural gas to Asian and other Pacific Basin markets, helping to reduce transit time and costs.

The project is expected to be substantially completed by summer 2026, after which a long-term LNG sales agreement with Mitsui is anticipated to commence. TotalEnergies has committed to offtake 1.7 million tons per year of LNG for 20 years starting from the commercial operation date.

Sempra Infrastructure describes the facility as part of its dual-coast LNG portfolio. With projects spanning the U.S. Gulf Coast and Mexico's Pacific coast, the company offers flexible solutions to meet growing demand for cost-competitive U.S. natural gas. Justin Bird, CEO of Sempra Infrastructure, said that amid heightened uncertainty in global LNG trade, the company is pleased to begin shipping new, reliable natural gas supplies from the North American Pacific coast to global customers. This achievement highlights the team's capabilities and commitment to safety and robust project execution.

Earlier this month, TotalEnergies announced the sale of an 8.5% net interest in the Marjoram gas field, located in Block 2E offshore Malaysia, to Inpex for $350 million (approximately €306.13 million).