TotalEnergies has dispatched the first-ever LNG cargo from Mexico’s ECA LNG Phase 1 export terminal, marking a major milestone for the country’s first LNG export facility on the Pacific Coast.

 

The cargo, shipped to Asia, comes from the ECA LNG plant in Baja California, which is currently under commissioning. TotalEnergies holds a 16.6% stake in the project alongside operator Sempra Infrastructure and will be the sole LNG offtaker during the ramp-up phase.

 

Under a 20-year agreement beginning with commercial operations, TotalEnergies will offtake 1.7 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of LNG from the facility, with exports primarily targeted at Asian markets.

 

ECA LNG Phase 1 features a single-train liquefaction facility with a nameplate capacity of 3.25 Mtpa. The plant is supplied with U.S. natural gas from the Permian Basin in Texas and New Mexico and leverages existing regasification infrastructure to improve construction efficiency.

 

Located on Mexico’s western coastline, the facility provides a shorter shipping route for U.S. natural gas exports to Asia and other Pacific Basin markets, helping reduce transportation time and costs.

 

The project is expected to reach substantial completion in summer 2026, with long-term LNG sales agreements set to begin shortly after the plant enters commercial operations.

 

"The start-up of ECA LNG, whose strategic location provides privileged access to Asian markets, strengthens the quality of our integrated LNG portfolio in North America. TotalEnergies is pleased to contribute to the project’s ramp-up by exporting its first LNG cargoes,” said Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of TotalEnergies.

 

"At a time of increased uncertainty in the global LNG trade, we are excited to begin shipping a new and reliable source of natural gas from North America’s Pacific Coast to customers around the globe,” said Justin Bird, chief executive officer of Sempra Infrastructure. "This achievement underscores the exceptional talent of the entire ECA LNG Phase 1 team and our company’s steadfast commitment to safe and strong project execution.”