BG Group has taken the Final Investment Decision approving implementation of the first phase of the Queensland Curtis Liquefied Natural Gas project following receipt of Australian Federal and State Government environmental approvals. The first phase of QCLNG encompasses the development of a two-train liquefaction plant on Curtis Island near Gladstone in Queensland together with the associated upstream and pipeline facilities. The first phase of the liquefaction plant will consist of two LNG trains with a combined capacity of 11.6 bcm/year of LNG. Over the next four years (2011-2014), BG Group plans to invest approximately $15bn in developing the liquefaction plant and related facilities. The construction of a third LNG train is already covered by existing State and Federal approvals. First LNG exports are planned to commence from 2014, underpinned by sale agreements in Chile, China, Japan and Singapore for the purchase of up to 12.9 bcm/year of LNG.