ConocoPhillips to Install Optimized Cascade Liquefaction at Coastal Bend LNG

Coastal Bend LNG, a planned 22.5 MTPA natural gas liquefaction and export facility in Ingleside, TX, will use ConocoPhillips’ Optimized Cascade process technology upon commercial start-up. Situated along Texas’ Gulf Coast, the planned development includes several natural gas liquefaction trains, cogeneration capability, LNG storage tanks, and export facilities.

“ConocoPhillips is pleased to support Coastal Bend LNG with our high-efficiency Optimized Cascade design that includes our latest low-emission design and operating features,” said Darren Meznarich, manager of ConocoPhillips LNG Technology and Licensing.

Coastal Bend LNG plans to preemptively file its Federal Energy Regulatory Commission permits in 2025.

Optimized Natural Gas Liquefaction

ConocoPhillips’ proprietary liquefaction technology recovers heavy hydrocarbons to utilize as a separate product, which prevents freezing and may also remove nitrogen if necessary. Optimized Cascade leverages three multi-staged, cascaded refrigerant circuits, brazed aluminum heat exchangers, and insulated cold box modules to effectively liquefy natural gas, while the company’s installation method reduces cost and increases the LNG plant’s efficiency.

“ConocoPhillips’ technology and expertise provide us with the confidence that the Optimized Cascade Process will deliver high-quality LNG facility performance while mitigating greenhouse gas emissions,” said Nick Flores, CEO of Coastal Bend LNG.

LNG plant equipped with Optimized Cascade | Image Credit: ConocoPhillips

The company optimized its heat integration to closely border the natural gas and pure refrigerant cooling curves, resulting in little overall waste. It uses propane, ethylene, and methane, as their physical characteristics apply well to heat integration and their properties are thoroughly documented. Utilizing well-known pure refrigerants enables operational simplicity and flexibility.

The brazed aluminum heat exchangers and cold box modules can be up- or down-scaled to accommodate various LNG plant sizes; also, depending on the natural gas feed stream composition, the LNG train can feature an integrated heavies removal unit (HRU) and/or a nitrogen rejection unit (NRU). The HRU and NRU can help achieve the desired LNG plant performance and meet economic targets.

ConocoPhillips Extends LNG Strategy

In late 2023, ConocoPhillips signed a contract to secure more regasification capacity at the Gate LNG terminal at the Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands. The Gate Terminal B.V.—live for commercial operation in 2011—is an LNG joint venture between Vopak and Gasunie, supplying processed natural gas to the Netherlands and Europe’s northwest region. The 15-year throughput agreement for 1.5 MTPA begins in 2031.

“Adding capacity at the Gate LNG terminal fits well with our efforts to deliver reliable, lower-carbon energy into Europe from highly competitive LNG supply,” said Bill Bullock, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of ConocoPhillips. “Expanding our LNG footprint with agreements like this further enhances a balanced, diversified, and attractive portfolio as we progress our global LNG strategy.”

This agreement expands ConocoPhillips’ portfolio of LNG assets, joining resource locations in Qatar and Australia, offtake and equity in the Port Arthur LNG Phase 1 project, regasification at the German LNG terminal, and offtake from Mexico Pacific’s Saguaro LNG export facility.