Back to top

Image: Bigstock

ExxonMobil's (XOM) Golden Pass LNG Project Faces Six-Month Delay

Read MoreHide Full Article

ExxonMobil Corporation (XOM - Free Report) and QatarEnergy’s $11 billion Golden Pass LNG project has encountered significant hurdles, leading to a delay in its expected startup by at least six months. According to a Reuters report on Thursday, the project, which was expected to bolster the supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) within the next year, is now facing uncertainty due to construction setbacks.

The Golden Pass LNG facility, located at the Sabine Pass site, was initially designed to convert a former gas-import terminal into a cutting-edge LNG export hub. This ambitious project, wherein ExxonMobil holds a 30% stake, aligns with its strategic vision to enhance the natural gas supply chain from the world's leading exporter.

The delay was caused by the unexpected bankruptcy filing of the lead contractor, Zachry Holdings, and its exit from the project, leading ExxonMobil to reassess the timeline. The financial implications of these delays are significant. In a recent U.S. bankruptcy court filing, Zachry Holdings revealed that the project had already exceeded the original budget by $2.4 billion. Additionally, on Monday, Zachry Holdings notified Texas state officials of the dismissal of 4,072 workers associated with the Sabine Pass project, per a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification.

As of the latest update, ExxonMobil indicated that although the plant was approximately 75% complete, it was yet to provide a revised completion schedule.

A recent regulatory filing indicated that the startup timeline for the plant may need to be revised due to the current disruptions. Originally, the first of the three processing units was expected to begin operations this year, with a full production capacity of more than 15 million metric tons per annum, set for 2025.

Per the report, the new timeline suggests that Train 1 of the facility might be operational by the end of June 2025. Following this, Trains 2 and 3 are projected to come online in December 2025 and March 2026, respectively. While these timelines have shifted from the prior ones, ExxonMobil is focused on mitigating delays and ensuring that the project meets its revised targets.

Zacks Rank & Key Picks

ExxonMobil currently carries a Zack Rank #3 (Hold).

Investors interested in the energy sector may look at some better-ranked stocks like Archrock Inc. (AROC - Free Report) , SM Energy Company (SM - Free Report) and Sunoco LP (SUN - Free Report) , each currently sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Archrock is an energy infrastructure company based in the United States, with a focus on midstream natural gas compression. It provides natural gas contract compression services and generates stable fee-based revenues.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AROC’s 2024 EPS is pegged at $1.07. The company has a Zacks Style Score of A for Growth. It has witnessed upward earnings estimate revisions for 2024 and 2025 in the past 60 days.

SM Energy is set to expand its oil-centered operations in the coming years, with an increasing focus on crude oil, especially in the Permian Basin and Eagle Ford regions. The company’s attractive oil and gas investments should create long-term value for shareholders.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SM’s 2024 EPS is pegged at $6.63. The company has a Zacks Style Score of A for Value. It has witnessed upward earnings estimate revisions for 2024 and 2025 in the past 30 days.

Sunoco is a leading wholesale motor fuel distributor in the United States, boasting a vast distribution network spanning 40 states. With long-term contracts servicing more than 10,000 convenience stores, it distributes over 10 fuel brands, ensuring a stable revenue stream. SUN currently has a Value Score of A.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2024 and 2025 earnings per unit is pegged at $5.15 and $4.48, respectively. The partnership has witnessed upward earnings estimate revisions for 2025 in the past 30 days.


See More Zacks Research for These Tickers


Normally $25 each - click below to receive one report FREE:


Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM) - free report >>

Sunoco LP (SUN) - free report >>

SM Energy Company (SM) - free report >>

Archrock, Inc. (AROC) - free report >>

Published in